Vale Klaus Moje

October 5 1936 to September 24 2016

Craft ACT: Craft and Design is mourning the loss of our beloved patron, Klaus Moje AO.

Moje was known best for his vibrant, abstract, geometric and painterly artworks, as well as his strong commitment to mentoring and sharing knowledge of glass. Born in Germany, he came to Australia as the founding Head of the Glass Workshop, Canberra School of Art, Australian National University where he built the strong foundations that secure its position as one of the worlds leading educational facilities for glass. He instilled artistic rigour and technical workmanship, which has shaped some of Australia’s greatest glass artists. Moje was a major contributor to the set up and ongoing championing of Canberra Glassworks.

From his beginnings as a Journeyman glasscutter and grinder, Moje worked as an intrinsic and powerful force in international studio glass, ensuring the recognition of Australian artists in the global movement. Innovating process and pioneering technical possibilities for over 60 years Moje has taught in the worlds’ finest tertiary institutions; building pathways, educating and inspiring generations of artists and designers. Moje exhibited and has been collected in significant galleries and museums throughout Australia, Europe, America and Japan including the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra ACT, CMaG Canberra Museum and Gallery, Museum of Modern Art, New York, USA, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, Great Britain and Badisches Landesmuseum, Karlsruhe, Germany.

Our deepest love and sympathies go to all of Klaus’ family and we send our condolences to the entire glass, craft and design community in Canberra and beyond, who share in this loss.

Image
Durchblicke # 3, 2015, fused coloured glass, surface cut - wall panel, H 48 x W 48 x D 2.5cm