Giles Bettison developed an interest in fused mosaic glass while a student at the Canberra School of Art, under the tutelage of Klaus Moje. He used the technique as a basis for a series of small vessel forms and is now recognised as Australia's most accomplished practitioner in this form of hot glass.

Bettison assembles sheets of glass mosaic, comprising tiles cut from fused, multicoloured glass rods, or 'canes'. This ancient technique, known as murrini, was perfected in Italy. The mosaic sheet is fused in the kiln, then rolled into a cylinder, blown and hot-worked, finally the surface is wheel-polished.

Bettison's organisation of structure and surface design shows influences as diverse as pieced African weaving and the geometric planting and ploughing of the rural landscape.