Two new major exhibitions are open at Gosford Regional Gallery, showcasing innovative and versatile ways to display and use glass, granite, marble and stainless steel materials.

GLASS: art design architecture brings together products, projects and works of art that reflect relationships and creative practices with this versatile medium in the 21^st century.

Touring 15 venues nationally, GLASS explores unique ways that glass is used within contemporary art, design and architecture; from fine, hand-crafted jewellery to high-tech glass skyscrapers.

Co-curated by JamFactory’s Brian Parkes and Margaret Hancock Davis, the exhibition features 23 renowned Australian artists, designers and architects including multiple award winning architectural firm Woods Bagot, contemporary artist Nic Folland, and Tom Moore – one of Australia’s most celebrated glass artists.

Kokoro no fūkei – Mind Scenery celebrates internationally recognised local artist and sculptor, Koichi Ishino.

Japanese born Ishino, who immigrated to Australia in 2009, showcases a selection of his sculptural works from the last 25 years. Using original inlay techniques with materials of completely different qualities, his works come together as one fabricated form.

Constructed from granite, marble and stainless steel, the works range in scale, with three displayed within the Edogawa Commemorative Gardens.

A regular entrant in Sculpture by the Sea, having exhibited in Bondi on 15 occasions and in Cottesloe ten times, Ishino has also won the Gosford Art Prize (sculpture section) twice, as well as many other prestigious international prizes.

Council’s Connected Communities Group Leader, Ms Julie Vaughan, said it was wonderful to have such diversity and a high calibre of works at the gallery.

“The standard of these two exhibitions is vast and impressive,” said Ms Vaughan.

“Both celebrate the skills and minds of multi-award winning artists, and we are thrilled to have them feature on the Central Coast.

“The exhibition by Koichi Ishino is an important part of the gallery’s programming as it explores the practice of a world renowned local artist.

“The cross-section of creativity and industry emerges in these displays and I recommend that you take the time to explore these exhibitions before they finish.”

GLASS: art design architecture runs until Saturday 2 September, while Mind Scenery ends on Sunday 10 September 2017.

For more information on these exhibitions phone 4304 7550 or visit gosford.nsw.gov.au/galleries