Ann Robinson is a leading cast glass artist both in New Zealand and internationally. Her work has been exhibited widely, and is held in a large number of prestigious collections worldwide. Robinson is considered a pioneer of the lost wax casting technique and is sought after as a teacher and lecturer on this subject.

Robinson's commitment to cast glass developed following her graduation from Elam in 1980. Frustrated with blown glass processes, her tutor suggested she try casting. Robinson experimented with bronze and by 1990 was successfully casting with Gaffer (lead crystal) glass. Her luminous, sculptural pieces are valued for their aesthetics and iconography, referencing New Zealand's native bush and geology.

A survey exhibition at Te Papa - Museum of New Zealand in 2002 acknowledged her status as the seminal figure in glass work in this country and she has been internationally recognised as the recipient of the American Glass Society's Award for Lifetime Achievement 2006. In 2004 she was the recipient of the Arts Foundation of New Zealand Laureate Award.

The application of fern silhouettes onto the curved vase, with spore lines carved into the surface, was the first of a new series of works for the artist in 2014.