The Klaus Moje Projekt is the initiative of institutions and individuals that played a large part in Klaus’ life and whose lives have been touched in many ways by his commitment, influence and career. The institutions - Canberra Glassworks, Australian National University School of Art and Design, and Ausglass (Australian Association of Glass Artists) and the wider community of Australian glass artists continue to work together in the design and development of The Projekt, in what will be a dynamic process of evolution.
The outcome of this process -The Klaus Moje Projekt - is a suite of opportunities through which artists working in glass across the world will expand their creative horizons.
Klaus Moje Legacy
Klaus Moje was born in Hamburg in 1936. He trained as an apprentice in his father’s small glass grinding business and then completed a masters degree at the vocational glass school Glasfachschule Hadamar. In 1982 Moje moved to Australia to set up the first glass workshop at what was then known as the Canberra School of Art, now the Australian National University (ANU) School of Art and Design SOA&D). Moje would spend 10 years there, inspiring a group of emerging glass artists, many of whom went on to establish international careers of their own. As a teacher Moje was both demanding and generous. He insisted his students “dig deep” to find the artist inside. He believed creativity should be matched by exceptional technical skill – an approach not always shared by fellow artists within the international community but one to which he remained committed his whole life.
Moje was passionate about Australia and especially about its young glass community. By the mid-80s Ausglass, the national association for Australian artists working in glass, had grown from a small group of 40 artists in 1978 to around 400 members. Early on Ausglass had established a biennial conference accompanied by a members’ exhibition.
Klaus Moje lecture slot
The Klaus Moje Lecture is delivered by an invited artist at Ausglass conferences. Presented as a mark of honour, the lecture recognises leading voices in the field while celebrating the enduring influence of Klaus Moje. Each lecture builds on his legacy, reflecting the innovation, skill, and commitment to glass practice and education that defined his career.