Dale Chihuly

Dale Chihuly (American, born 1941), White and Pink Seaform Set with White and Black Lip Wraps, 1985, blown glass. 75th Anniversary gift of the Estate of Gladys M. Rubinstein in memory of Sam Rubinstein, 2014.116a-k

World-renowned artist Dale Chihuly has brought about technical advances that have dramatically increased the possibilities for color, size, and strength in glass sculpture. His artistic vision – creating individual works that are represented in the context of complex groupings, pairings, or installations – has revolutionized the Studio Glass movement in the United States. In particular, his notion of collaboration and endless experimentation has pushed the limits of the medium. Having cofounded Pilchuck Glass School, north of Seattle, Washington in 1971, Chihuly's teaching and artistic vision have led a generation of artists who work in glass to worldwide prominence. With this international center, glassblowing has gained new recognition as a fine art.

The Seaforms are tributes to the sea with sublime, sensual, and sea-like pieces with natural rhythm and fluidity. The forms are thin and transparent with spiral wraps of color. The use of optic molds strengthens the glass and gives a ribbed effect. The intimate quality in the early Seafoam Sets have led Chihuly to create many huge projects and complex installations dealing with scale and the limits of scale in the glass itself.