Paul House's Yidaki Glass Blowing Demonstration as part of the 2024 Canberra Heritage Festival

Join us at Canberra Glassworks for an exciting opportunity to see Ngambri artist Paul House and glass blower Tom Rowney collaborate in the creation of a glass Yidaki. From our Hotshop Viewing Platform, visitors will be blown away as they watch molten glass transform into a First Nations instrument with commentary from about the artists, their history, and modern glass blowing. 

TICKETS ARE NOT REQUIRED AND DO NOT GUARENTEE SEATS. 

FREE event | Ages 4+ 

in partnership with the 2024 Canberra and Region Heritage Festival

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Paul Girrawah House
Paul Girrawah House is a senior Ngambri-Ngunnawal custodian of the Canberra region with Wiradjuri, Walgalu and Ngunnawal ancestry. He is a descendant of Ngambri (Walgalu) man Henry ‘Black Harry’ Williams and Wallaballooa (Ngunnawal) man ‘Murjinille’ aka William Lane (‘Billy the Bull’), as well as having Wiradjuri ancestries. 

Paul Girrawah House has worked extensively in Commonwealth and NSW public sector agencies, including the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage. He has played a key role in the continuing practice of culture in Ngambri/Kamberri/Canberra and has worked extensively with the National Gallery as a cultural consultant. Paul Girrawah House currently holds the title of Senior Community Engagement Officer at the Australian National University, Ngambri/Kamberri/Canberra.

Paul celebrates his cultural ancestry through traditional tree carving. Recently Paul’s practice has extended beyond the traditional use of trees, and has seen Paul carving his ancestral designs into glass, and other contemporary materials.


Tom Rowney
One of the most accomplished glass blowers in Australia, NSW-based Tom Rowney explores the use of Venetian glassblowing techniques in his constant pursuit of perfection. He is the Technical Director at Canberra Glassworks, and continues to be sought after for teaching and fabrication projects by the leading glass studios and artists in Australia and overseas. Tom is represented by Sabbia Gallery, Sydney, and Beaver Galleries, Canberra. 

“My studio is based at Canberra Glassworks where I have access to a fantastic glass blowing studio or Hotshop. The Hotshop has all the equipment I need to make traditional Venetian style works, including two furnaces that hold more than 500 kilograms of molten glass. I work with a tight-knit team of skilled glass blowers, using techniques handed down from generation to generation."