In a glass of his own

Dale demonstrating his busy brush piece

                   





'Somebody once said that people become artists because they have a certain kind of energy to release, and that rang true to me. It’s not the kind of energy you can work off in the weight room. It must have an outlet—it must be released to someone. That’s really why I draw’. 

Dale Chihuly

        

 Dale Chihuly’s exhibition in the Halcyon gallery started on 5th of December 2011 and will last till 21st of April 2012, in New Bond Street, central London. Dale Chihuly was born in 1941 in Tacoma, Washington. After studying as an interior designer and architect, in 1961, Dale became a rush chairman where he learnt to melt and fuse glass. In 1964 while he was still a student, he received an award for innovative use of glass and fibre. In 1967, Dale visited the world exposition in Montreal and was inspired by the architectural glass works of Stanislav Libenský and Jaroslava Brychtová at the Czechoslovak pavilion. His visited Europe in 1974, and made his first significant purchase of art, La Donna Perfecta, an art deco glass mosaic.

 Around 1979, Dale started drawing and demonstrating his approach. In 1986, his glass art exhibited in the Palais de Louvre in Paris, Dale became one of only four Americans to have had a one-person exhibition at the Louvre. He then received honorary doctorates from RISD (Rhode Island School of Design) and the University of Puget Sound, Tacoma. In 1988 Dale received another honorary doctorate from the California College of Arts and Crafts, Oakland.

 Chihuly's Sunset Boat

Following these successes he    became an internationally celebrated personality in art and design for using glass.

Dale got married to Sylvia Peto in 1987 and was divorced in 1991. He got married for the second time in 2005 to Leslie Jackson with whom he shares his life until now.

 His art contains unforgettably pleasing; captivating and charming colours; and is full of light which dares the viewer to walk away. It’s unbelievable how the poetry   of colour and movement is  brought into shape. All the essentials of light, its fragility and power seem to be captured.

 One quality that makes Chihuly’s art really different and important is you ask yourself if the art is manmade or straight from nature. For a moment looking at the title piece, I was not sure myself.


 His examples of incredible glass work can now be seen in a number of major cities across the globe.

Chihuly’s Mille Fiori

In each of his installations the colour, form and light unite to create something really magical. All his exhibitions are full of life and happiness. 



 “Glass is the most magical of all materials. It transmits light in a special way ... I'm pleased that my art appeals to so many people of all ages. As a parent and an artist, I'm especially looking forward to leaving a legacy at The Children's Museum, a place where I hope my work brings joy to children who visits from all over the world.” 

 Dale Chihuly