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Photo credit: Alexis Oltmer

Additional Artworks

From Contemporary Craft

  1. Blue Vase by Michael Cohn, Image 2.

    Michael Cohn

    Blue Vase, 1981

    Blown glass

  2. Blue Plate with Fish Design by Chet Cole, Image 2.

    Chet Cole

    Blue Plate with Fish Design, c. 1979

    Blown and pressed glass

    7.5 inch diameter

  3. Hanging Drawers by John Cederquist, Image 2.

    John Cederquist

    Hanging Drawers, 1978

    Walnut, leather

    30 x 18.75 x 4 in

  4. Green and White Vase by Donald Carlson, Image 2.

    Donald Carlson

    Green and White Vase, 1978

    Blown glass

    9 x 3.25 in

  5. Ginko Leaf Pin by Mary Lou Cashman, Image 3.

    Mary Lou Cashman

    Ginko Leaf Pin, c. 1978

    Electroplate over ginko leaf

  6. Green Plate with Onion Design by Chet Cole, Image 2.

    Chet Cole

    Green Plate with Onion Design, c. 1977

    Blown and pressed glass

    7.5 inch diameter

  7. Rice Bowl by Marek Cecula, Image 4.

    Marek Cecula

    Rice Bowl

    Slipcast porcelain

    2.75 x 5.5 x 5.5 in

  8. Collander by Jackie Chalkley, Image 2.

    Jackie Chalkley

    Collander

    Wheel thrown ceramic

    10" diameter x 4.5"

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About the artist

Dale Chihuly

b. 1941

After graduating high school in 1959, Chihuly renrolled at the college of Puget Sound, then transferred to the University of Washington to study interior design. In 1962, he dropped out of school to study art in Florence, Italy, then continued his education at Washington in 1963. When Chihuly returned to the states, he started learning how to fuse glass. In 1965, he started experimenting with glassblowing, and graduated with his Bachelors of Art. In 1966, Chihuly started at the University of Wisconsin and in 1967 received a Masters of Science in sculpture, the same year he enrolled at the Rhode Island School of Design. In 1968 he got his Masters of Art in sculpture and received a Fulbright Fellowship to study glass in Venice, Italy. In 1971 Chihuly established the Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, Washington.

Traditional glass factory production focuses on symmetrical forms and vessels that are perfectly formed. In contrast, Chihuly's work is characterized by asymmetry and irregularity. He uses gravity and centrifugal force to let molten glass take shape organically. Chihuly has made many large-scale public sculptures.