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Work (landing)

Work

Always unexpected

Over the course of five decades, Chihuly has explored new and old techniques, pushing the boundaries of contemporary art. He draws inspiration from the world around him, creating statements using color and form to capture the imagination, and catapult beyond conventional ideas of function and beauty.

Always unexpected

Over the course of five decades, Chihuly has explored new and old techniques, pushing the boundaries of contemporary art. He draws inspiration from the world around him, creating statements using color and form to capture the imagination, and catapult beyond conventional ideas of function and beauty.

 

Baskets

“I saw some beautiful Northwest Coast Indian baskets... and was struck by the grace of their slumped, sagging forms.” –Chihuly

 

Cylinders

“We came up with this technique where we’d lay out little bits of glass on the steel table ….. and then pick it up with molten glass.” –Chihuly

 

Glass on Glass

“When lit these pieces come to life as multi-dimensional paintings in color, light, and glass.” –Chihuly

 

Ikebana

"The quintessential Ikebana would be a Venetian... with a long stem coming out of it, perhaps two or three stems. And it might be six feet high." –Chihuly

 

Installations

"Glass is the most magical of all materials. It transmits light in a special way.” –Chihuly

 

Jerusalem Cylinders

"...I love the look of glass crystals.” –Chihuly

 

Light Drawings

"...Color is one of the greatest properties of glass and is more intense in glass than any other material." –Chihuly

 

Macchia

"...I loved the…ones that seemed to make the least amount of sense, like the really crazy ones—purple and chartreuse." –Chihuly

 

Persians

"The Persians started out as a search for forms." –Chihuly

 

Putti

"To me, the Putti look best made out of glass....Maybe it's because you can see through it. They’re happier in glass." –Chihuly

 

Rotolo

"Rotolo rekindled my excitement for working with clear glass. I was really amazed by the complexity and brilliance of the form." –Chihuly

 

Seaforms

"If you work with hot glass and its natural properties, it begins to look like something that came from the sea." –Chihuly

 

Soft Cylinders

"Halfway into the blowing process, the gaffer comes down on the drawing with the molten glass and fuses it to the surface." –Chihuly

 

Venetians

"I started the series with the simple idea of replicating these strange Art Deco vases.” –Chihuly

 

Works on Paper

"Most of the drawings are quite spontaneous. I don’t do much with preconceived ideas." –Chihuly

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