"My journey started on a small island in the British Isles called Jersey where castles line the horizon and the romance of ages fills the air. My move to Australia gave me the freedom to find and explore my creative self. The unique Australian environment has been a major influence in my work, combined with romance and fantasy. I hope that you will sense and share the depth of love and feeling that I put into each creation". "Exquisite", "unique" and "dramatic "are some of the adjectives used to describe Tina Cooper's glass sculptures. One of the leading figures in Australian Studio glass, she uses nature - earth, fire, water and air - to create her art, reflecting her passionate relationship with the environment from which she sources her inspiration. Each sculpture is precise in its execution. Ensuring the perfect piece requires Tina to "dance with fire" orchestrating five highly skilled artisans who work in unison to provide hot pieces of glass for her to create her magic. Every part of the process is critical. Each piece is individually hand-made from liquid currents of molten glass drawn from a 1200c furnace and then fused, layered and placed around a vessel. The "Sea Life" and "Enchanted Forest" series are full of floral and aquatic allusions inspired from the Great Barrier Reef and the beaches and hinterland of the Sunshine Coast of Queensland, Australia. The "Outback" series is a highly expressive fusion of the textures and patterns of the flora and fauna of outback Australia. Many pieces have been made in collaboration with Indigenous Artists. Tina has now commenced four new series "Soul Essence", "Sea Essence", "Tribal Tribute" and "Sunrise" descriptions of which are detailed below. Beyond her technical prowess of hot glass sculpture, it is Tina's ability to impart and leave with the observer her deeply felt responses to Mother Nature, Life, Love and Grief. Tina Cooper's creations are highly sought after and can be found in collections the world over, including Japan and the USA. In Australia they can be found displayed locally at "Illume Creations" Montville, "Reef Gallery" Cairns, "Sunshine Coast Hot Glass Studio" Yandina, "Aarwun Gallery" Canberra, "Makers Mark" Sydney and Melbourne and "David Hart Gallery" Noosa. Exhibitions/ Awards/ Commissions 2006 Exhibition: The Grand Hotel, Barcelona, Spain. Hosted by Austrade Barcelona. 2006 Large body of work bought by Dennis Hunter exported to Barcelona. 2005 Exhibition: Illume Creations, Montville, Qld. Featuring 'Tribal Tribute', a collaborative collection introducing Muraays indigenous artwork. 2004 Exhibition: Palazzo Versace, Gold Coast, Qld. Featuring 'Soul Essence'. 2004 Exhibition: David Hart Gallery, Noosa Heads, Qld. 2003 Exhibition: Aarwun Gallery, Canberra, NSW. 2002 Commission: Sheraton Noosa Resort, Qld, Sealife installation. 2002 Selected works bought for CHOGM deligates, Hyatt regency, Coolum, Qld. 2001 Oz Glass launched in Sydney, NSW. 2001 International Exhibition, sponsored by Raglan Gallery to represent Australia in SOFA, Chicago, USA. 2000 Award: 'The Craft Mark Of Excellence'. 2000 The Original Aboriginal Art Co. Tribal Tribute Collection. 1999 Exhibition: Glass Canvas Gallery, Florida, USA, 'Glass Down Under'. 1999 G.A.S Conference Expo/ Studio Tour, Florida, USA. 1997 Exhibition: Gary Meyers Studio, Maleny, 'Touch Me I Feel You'. 1997 Award: 1st, Caloundra Arts Festival, 1991 Glass Award. 1996 Attended: Australian Glass Conference, Canberra, NSW. 1996 Tina Cooper Art Collection launched. 1995 Group Exhibition: Australian Fine Craft design Gallery. 1995 Exhibition: Mary Marks Gallery, Brisbane, Qld. 1994 Exhibition: Distel Fink Galler, Melbourne, VIC. 'Waves Of Time'. 1993 Exhibition: Ritual Cup, Sydney. 1992 Award: 1st, Maroochy Art Show, 'Sunset Series'. 1990 Glass Blower traineeship with Mark Galton. 1990 Exhibition: Peachester, 'Eart & Sea Let it Be'.