A glass act
Meet the craftworker behind UQ Glass – the only glassblowing workshop at an Australian university
“Of all the glass joints, in all the towns, in all the world, he walks into mine…”
Sixty years later, this – slightly amended – quote from the classic movie, Casablanca, could well summarise the career of Jarred Wright, head of UQ Glass within the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences – the only glassblowing workshop at an Australian university.
“It was serendipity really: I was not specifically seeking a job as an apprentice glassblower 10 years ago when I came across the UQ job vacancy – but it was clearly seeking me,” he said.
“As a 30-year-old craftworker with experience in signage and fabrications workshops, I guess my background was a good fit.”
Make It: Tools, Technique and Time. Video: artisan.org.au
Although Wright had previously cast glass when studying fine arts at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, it was not a major part of his degree and he did not consider glassblowing as a possible career. With only around 18 scientific glassblowers in New Zealand and even fewer in Australia, so rare is this trade that apprentices have to be accredited under the British Society of Scientific Glassblowers training program.
'Pain' of glass
UQ offered him a four-year apprenticeship and brought in invigilators from the UK to ensure that his skills satisfied the Society’s requirements. He was then offered a permanent position and has been at UQ ever since.
“It was quite a challenge at the time, but well worth the effort,” he said.
As the sole glassblower for the University, Wright repairs lab equipment and produces a range of custom-built glassware for UQ and – time permitting – external clients.
The work can be dangerous at times, with minor cuts and burns par for the course, but Wright finds it immensely satisfying.
Jarred Wright with some of the scientific glassblowing samples he had to produce to pass his apprenticeship.
Jarred Wright with some of the scientific glassblowing samples he had to produce to pass his apprenticeship.
“I wear cheap clothes though!” he joked.
“Most of my work is for the University, making things like beakers, flasks, and custom-built research materials, but I also do jobs for other universities and industrial laboratories if I have capacity.
“The main advantage of me being on-site at UQ is that I can provide a quick turnaround for scientists conducting experiments, who would otherwise have to wait around 6 months for orders to come through from overseas.
“I am helping science proceed more quickly.”
“Although I’m not a scientist myself, I feel that I’ve developed good research and interpretive skills dealing with the insanely brilliant staff we have here.”
From drawing...
...to making...
...to final product.
Work of glass
Wright works in a Tier 1-ranked workshop in the Chemistry building at St Lucia and generally creates and repairs pieces in borosilicate – the same sort of glass used in Pyrex cookware – as this is best for laboratory apparatus.
“But sometimes I do specialty quartz work for microanalysis [also used for semiconductors] and soda-glass work [the soft glass used for lightbulbs and tumblers]. It all depends on the client’s requirements – although sometimes they don’t even know what they want!” Wright said.
Some of the custom-made glass produced in the UQ Workshop.
“If they need glassware for teaching or research, I can create stock and custom-built glassware to their specifications; I repair glassware; and I also produce sintered glassware, vacuum systems and glass components. Stopcocks, ground joints, flanges and glass-to-metal seals are all part of the service.”
Some of Wright’s favourite pieces over the years include various custom-reaction vessels for microbiologists growing bacteria, a sight-tube for controlling liquid with audible resonance, and a farewell trophy in the shape of a coronavirus.
“But the strangest request has to be a dimpled device used to extract chlamydia cells from koalas,” he said.
Sound of glass
Wright maintains a steady work output and often plays drum-heavy music to accompany the rhythmical nature of the tasks.
He finds his role a good balance of practical labour, client liaison and administration.
Perhaps the only concern he has is when ‘outsiders’ – literally, those looking in through the windows of the lab – see the constant flame burning and call the fire brigade!
But that's all in the line of duty to produce such ‘clearly’ useful glassware.
Some of the custom-made glass produced in the UQ Workshop.
Some of the custom-made glass produced in the UQ Workshop.
UQ Glassblowing Services
UQ Glassblowing Services specialises in the fabrication and repair of a wide range of specialised and standard scientific glassware.
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