Studio
Monmouth is a traditional glassblowing studio. Our furnace holds 120 kilos of glass, and it is kept molten at a temperature of 1110 degrees Celsius twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. Every piece is gathered from the furnace then hand shaped and blown using traditional glassblowing techniques that date back hundreds of years.
Isaac Katzoff
Isaac brings an education in Fine Arts and Art History to Monmouth Glass Studio. Graduating from Southern Illinois University with a BFA in 2001, he has since worked in established glass production studios in both the United States and New Zealand, refining his technique and skills in glass-blowing and fabrication.
Continuing his education in New Zealand, he completed a postgraduate diploma in Art History from the University of Auckland, with a focus on the history of Studio glass blowing in New Zealand. He also served as the vice president of the New Zealand Society of Artists in Glass between 2010 and 2012. Isaac regularly exhibits his personal and collaborative glass work through Masterworks Gallery, Auckland.
STEPHEN BRADBOURNE
Stephen brings 25 years’ experience in object making, design and production to Monmouth Glass Studio. He began working with ceramics in the late 1980s and completed a Craft Design diploma in 1991. In 1992 Stephen began working at a busy Auckland glassblowing studio and over the following decade established himself as one of the most skilled and creative glassblowers of his generation.
Stephen has become well-known for his intricately detailed exhibition work; he has held 15 solo shows, and has been included in over 80 group shows over the last two and a half decades. His work is included in many private and public glass collections both in New Zealand and internationally.
KATHERINE RUTECKI
Katherine Rutecki is a multidisciplinary artist who specializes in cast glass sculpture and performance art. She holds a BFA in sculpture from the New York College of Ceramics at Alfred University, New York and an MFA in glass from Southern Illinois University, Illinois.
Kate has been involved in several international group exhibitions, taking place at such venues as the New Orleans Museum of Art and the Ebeltoft Glass Museum in Denmark; and solo exhibitions in the US, New Zealand, and Europe. Kate has been working with Isaac and Steve at Monmouth since 2018 as a glass-blowing assistant.
ABIGAIL STEEL
Abigail Steel is a jeweller and artist based in Tāmaki Makaurau. She has a background fine arts and holds an advanced degree in Goldsmithing.
Abby has been part of the Monmouth whānau since 2018. You’ll find Abby in our Henderson studio assisting with glass blowing and managing the day-to-day comings and goings, keeping the ship afloat.