Spotlight on Dale Chihuly

October 14, 2017 – June 5, 2022

Exhibition Overview

Artist Dale Chihuly visited Italy’s V.S.M Venini and Co. on a Fulbright U.S. Student Grant in 1968 where he was entranced by the fluid movements of the glassblowing teams of Murano and their dramatic skills with the medium of glass. The visit inspired 50 years of experimentation and innovation which made Chihuly synonymous with glass art.

In honor of Chihuly’s impact on the Studio Glass movement and his continuing connection to Tacoma and the Pacific Northwest, Spotlight on Dale Chihuly celebrates his artistic innovation. Museum of Glass visitors are introduced to his work through the showcasing of nine intimate examples from the Museum’s Permanent Collection. This includes the Gibson Chandelier, acquired from a private donor in 2013. The exhibition provides an artistic primer for visitors to learn about Chihuly’s various series and is accompanied by photos of the artist in MOG’s Hot Shop, and by a video presentation of his ambitious Chihuly Over Venice project, which resulted in “end-of-day” chandeliers like the Gibson Chandelier.

Featured Images

Image Credits

Dale Chihuly (American, born 1941). Black Basket Set with Cobalt Lip Wraps, 2006. Blown glass; 22 x 18 3/16 in. Collection of Museum of Glass, Tacoma, Washington, gift of Carol Auerbach. Photo by Jack Crane, courtesy of Chihuly Studio.
Dale Chihuly (American, born 1941). Jumping Horses Cylinder, 1976. Blown glass, assembled thread drawing picked up while hot, iridized; 11 3/8 x 7 1/8 x 7 5/16 in. (28.9 x 18.1 x 18.6 cm). Collection of Museum of Glass, gift of Elizabeth H. and Heinz K. Wolf. (2008.10.3). Photo by Duncan Price.
Dale Chihuly (American, born 1941). Raw Sienna Macchia with Deep Red Lip Wrap, 2002. Blown glass, applied lip wrap; 18 x 27 x 23 in. Collection of Museum of Glass, Tacoma, Washington, gift of the artist. Photo courtesy of Chihuly Studio.
Dale Chihuly (American, born 1941). Gibson Chandelier, 2000. Glass; 128 x 79 inches. Collection of Museum of Glass, gift of Katie and Drew Gibson. (2014.3). Photo courtesy of Chihuly Studio.