Lothar Bottcher

Art Brokerage: Lothar Bottcher South African Glass Artist: b. 1973. He was born in 1973 to German immigrants, Lothar grew up on a small holding outside Pretoria. In 1991 he matriculated and went to study Art at the Fine and Applied Arts campus of the Tshwane University of Technology (previously known as the Pretoria Technikon). Lothar was introduced to glass as an expressive medium in 1994 when the newly established glass department was opened. Since then, glass has been his passion. Glass presented technical challenges that inspired him to further his abilities. In 1997 he enrolled at the Staatliche Glasfachschule Hadamar, Germany, where he perfected his cold working abilities under the guidance of masters such as Josef Welzel and Willie Pistor. Lothar returned to his hometown, Pretoria, in 2001. Since then he has established himself as a leading voice in the South African glass art scene. He has been instrumental in establishing the South African Glass Art Society which hosted several national glass art exhibitions and festivals in 2004 and 2005. He is a part time lecturer at the TUT Glass department, mentoring upcoming South African talent. Using his skills as a cold worker (grinding and polishing of glass)he has created many enchanting sculptures shown at numerous prestigious group exhibitions throughout the country. He has several awards behind his name including a top 10 finalist in the 2007 ABSA L'Atelier competition and publication of his work in the New Glass Review 32 by the Corning Museum of Glass. Lothar's work is presented in various esteemed galleries in South Africa and his pieces are in private collections worldwide. Each sculpture is unique. An underlying theme of experimental endeavours and philosophical queries into the perception of contiguous spaces in relation to the viewer is prevalent in most of his work. The glass is often incorporated with other materials such as wood and steel, but never leaves the focal point, always enticing the viewer to come closer and interact. Listings wanted by Art Brokerage.