Bringing unparalleled enthusiasm and a sense of wonder to her work, Anne Clifton's innate curiosity drives her practice. Her commitment, vision and deep regard for community engagement, have positioned her as a significant member of the international studio glass movement.

Initially earning a major in ceramics, having studied for her Bachelor of Arts at the WA School of Visual Arts, Western Australia, it was during Clifton's tenure as a technician that the university's ceramics department obtained its initial glass furnace. With an enthusiasm for everything related to 'fire', she was intrigued to delve deeper into the world of glass.

Ultimately, her interest in this new medium led to her encounter with Peter Bowles, who became her collaborator in the realm of glassmaking. Fuelled by a shared vision, in 2003 they established their own glassmaking studio & gallery, Glass Manifesto, located in Tasmania. This newfound independence provided Clifton with the space and confidence to concentrate on her own ideas, honing her creative language and voice.

With her ideas initially centred around thick, heavy glass in vibrant colours, layered to create depth, in recent years Clifton has felt a greater sense of freedom, returning to what originally captured her imagination; the exploration of form and surface.

Clifton's artistic aesthetic, deeply rooted in ceramics, merges seamlessly with her unconventional approach to glassmaking and conceptual art. This distinctive fusion has earned her a reputation for individuality within the artistic community. She has exhibited and worked extensively throughout Europe, Australia, Asia and the USA.

Artist portrait by Jen Brown.