Shona Firman - Totem

Shona Firman works glass which often reflects her twin passions, the sea & the vessels on it.  Many of Shona's sculptures are blue, since the touch-stones of ancient people were often blue, giving this colour a special significance.

Shona attended Northland Polytechnic studying applied arts. It was here that she studied glass-making under Keith Mahy's direction.

 
After graduating with merit & majoring in Glass, Shona was awarded a scholarship to attend the Pilchuck Glass School, in Seattle, USA.  She was awarded a New Craft Artist Production Grant from the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council of New Zealand, & made a study tour to Perth, in Australia. On her return, she became Glass Tutor at Unitec, Auckland, & a year later she & Keith Mahy became partners & set up the Burning Issues Glass Studio & Gallery in Whangārei.