The tricky but rewarding process of negotiating with glass

For Li Yupu, glass is a perfect medium for reaching beyond the surface of life.

"Artists use techniques like blowing, casting and hot melting to transform glass into works of art with rich textures and different shapes," says Li, who is a professor from the China Academy of Art and vice-dean of its School of Crafts.

Li is the curator of the Hangzhou International Contemporary Glass Art Exhibition, which opened on Jan 10 at the China Design Museum of the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, and which runs until March 10.