Hand of the Maker: A Dialogue of Earth and Light

Robert Gordon and HotHaus Glass Studio Celebrate the tactile language of the handmade for Melbourne Design Week 2026.

For the first time, heritage Australian potters Robert Gordon and contemporary glass studio HotHaus Glass Studio collaborate to present Hand of the Maker. Debuting at Melbourne Design Week, this exhibition explores the visceral connection between artisan and object through a new collection of limited-edition handcrafted lighting.

Hand of the Maker investigates the ‘human element’- the subtle textures and physical intuition that define the handmade. By merging Robert Gordon’s eight decades of ceramic heritage with the fluid, hand-blown glassworks of HotHaus, the collection creates a sensory dialogue between the opacity of earth and the transparency of light.

“This collaboration is about showcasing the strength of local design and the beauty of objects crafted with time,” says Amanda Dziedzic, co-founder of HotHaus. “We wanted to bring our two worlds together to show the value of a piece that has been shaped by a person’s hands.”

Bobby Gordon, Director of Robert Gordon, adds: “It’s been a great process just seeing how our clay and their glass speak to each other. We wanted to see how those two materials could work as one, using the kiln to bring them together. It’s a simple, honest celebration of what happens when two local studios just get in and make things.”

The collection features custom glazes inspired by the Australian landscape- specifically the muted hues of Eucalyptus, developed in-house by Robert Gordon’s ceramic engineer. This grounding palette is reflected in the exhibition’s scenography, featuring an immersive installation by Tweed Twigs. Using a “living architecture” approach, Tweed Twigs will incorporate native eucalyptus elements to create an earthy, structural environment that invites visitors to explore
the relationship between raw material and finished form.

Program

Designed as an open exchange with the design community, the Hand of the Maker program invites architects, designers, and enthusiasts to look beyond the finished object and engage with the underlying philosophy of the craft.

Opening Night: Meet the Makers

Thursday 14 May I 6:00pm – 8:00pm
An evening of first looks and gentle conversation, oering an intimate introduction to the collection within the immersive, eucalyptus-inspired enviroment.

Panel Discussions: The Hand of the Maker

Saturday 16 May | 11:00 am – 11:30 am
Amanda Dziedzic and Laurel Kohut (HotHaus Glass Studio) and designer Ruby Shields (Studio Shields) together with the Robert Gordon design team, lead a thoughtful conversation on the place of handmade in contemporary design. This session brings together leading voices committed to evolving traditional processes within a modern context. Together, they will share insights into material intuition and the visceral challenges of small-scale Australian production—discussing why the “human touch” remains a radical, essential act in an increasingly automated world.

Behind the Scenes: The Process on Film
Available throughout the exhibition

A continuous short film screening offering a rare lens into the Robert Gordon and HotHaus workspaces. Experience the heat of the kiln and the rhythm of the studio where these pieces were conceived and crafted.

At its core, Hand of the Maker is a tribute to authenticity, inviting the public to reconsider the future of design—one rooted in local skill and a profound respect for the transformative power of the kiln.

Hand of the Maker
14 Little Oxford Street, Collingwood VIC 3066
Thursday 14 May – Sunday 17 May 2026

Thursday 14 May: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm (Exhibition Opening)
Friday 15 May: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday 16 May: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday 16 May: 11:00 am – 11:30 am (Panel Discussion – Free ticketed event)
Sunday 17 May: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

For more information go to Melbourne Design Week: Hand of the Maker