Nelius has always been fascinated by glass and from about 1990 he started experimenting with glass as a medium.  His interest quickly turned into an obsession and in 1992 he further developed his skills with studies In Oregon and the famous Pilchuck Glass School in Washington State in the USA. As a natural extension of his ceramics background Nelius has primarily explored kiln-formed glass using techniques such as slumping, fusing and casting. Since his full-time involvement with glass from 1992 he has exhibited extensively and is regarded as one of  South Africa’s leading glass artists and certainly a pioneer of  kiln-formed glass in this country. Nelius’ work is characterized by an extensive use of colour. Organic forms, and particularly those from the sea, have always been a major source of inspiration for Nelius.  Since he has been working in glass this has intensified partly because of the unique resonances between water, light and glass.  In some of his pieces there is a direct reference to sea shapes and the colours associated with the underwater world, while in others the association is more oblique.  His recent work also clearly alludes to his original creative reactions to the world of botany as well his love for pebbles, stones and rock formations and of the fossils often found embedded in them. Nelius’ glass works can be found in several public collections in South Africa and also in the well-known  Broadfield House Glass museum in England. After working from his studio at home it became necessary to extend his workspace for bigger projects.  In 2004 he created the Cape Glass Studio, just off the top of Long Street from where he now works and also where in 2005 he established the EDGE Glass Gallery, South Africa’s first gallery dedicated exclusively to Art glass, with emphasis on the best glass available from local artists. At the “EDGE” established and emerging glass artists from the whole of the Southern African region can be seen, grouped together with some famed artists from overseas. Nelius collaborates with fellow glass artists on large architectural commissions.

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