Dale Chihuly Azure Blue and Ochre Seaform Set Signed 1991 Unique Handblown Glass

Artist: Dale Chihuly
Title: Aqua Blue and Ochre Seaform Set
Medium: Hand Blown Glass Sculpture
Year: 1991
Size: Largest element measures 3.75"h x 7.75"w x 6"d
Inscription: Signed "Chihuly 91" on small element
Documentation: Gallery Certificate of Authenticity

Dale Chihuly's "Aqua Blue and Ochre Seaform Set" (1991) exemplifies the artist's celebrated Seaform series, a body of work that remains central to his exploration of organic form, color, and the expressive potential of handblown glass. Introduced in the early 1980s, the Seaforms draw inspiration from marine life, shells, and underwater flora, translating natural structures into fluid sculptural compositions distinguished by asymmetry, translucency, and layered color.

This two-element composition features a larger vessel-like form with an undulating, scalloped rim and a smaller complementary element nestled within. The primary form is articulated with rhythmic linear striping in warm ochre tones over a luminous white ground, while the rim is finished in aqua blue, creating a cool counterpoint to the interior palette. The secondary element echoes these tonal relationships through softer bands of blue, green, and iridescent neutrals, establishing visual dialogue between the two components.

Chihuly's manipulation of glass emphasizes qualities of movement and elasticity. The gently folded contours and irregular edges suggest forms shaped by currents or natural growth, while the translucency of the medium allows light to activate the surface and reveal subtle shifts in tone. As in many works from the Seaform series, the relationship between interior and exterior space is integral to the composition, with the smaller form interacting dynamically within the larger vessel.

The largest element measures 3.75 inches high by 7.75 inches wide by 6 inches deep, and the smaller element is inscribed "Chihuly 91". Accompanied by a gallery certificate of authenticity, "Aqua Blue and Ochre Seaform Set" is a strong example of Chihuly's early 1990s studio production, demonstrating his ability to merge technical mastery with forms derived from the natural world. Through its balance of color, scale, and biomorphic design, the work reflects the enduring significance of the Seaform series within contemporary glass art.

About Dale Chihuly

Dale Chihuly (b. 1941, Tacoma, Washington) is an American artist internationally recognized for transforming the medium of glass through ambitious scale, technical innovation, and sculptural experimentation. Widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in contemporary glass art, Chihuly helped elevate handblown glass from a craft tradition into a major force within modern and contemporary fine art. His work is celebrated for its vibrant color, organic forms, and immersive installations that have been exhibited in museums, botanical gardens, and public spaces around the world.

Chihuly studied interior design at the University of Washington before pursuing graduate work in sculpture at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he first began working with glass. He later continued his studies at the Rhode Island School of Design, where he earned a Master of Fine Arts degree and would eventually become a faculty member. In the late 1960s, he studied glassmaking in Venice on the island of Murano, where he learned traditional team-based blowing techniques that would profoundly shape his future studio practice.

In 1971, Chihuly co-founded the Pilchuck Glass School in Washington State, an institution that became one of the most important centers for glass education and innovation in the world. Through Pilchuck, Chihuly played a pivotal role in the development of the American Studio Glass movement, mentoring artists and expanding the possibilities of the medium through collaboration and experimentation.

Over the course of his career, Chihuly developed numerous celebrated series that demonstrate his range of form and color. Among the best known are the Seaforms, Macchia, Persians, Ikebana, Niijima Floats, Baskets, and monumental Chandeliers. These bodies of work draw inspiration from nature, Venetian glass traditions, Indigenous basketry, marine life, and botanical structures. His sculptures often feature sweeping lines, asymmetrical silhouettes, and richly layered surfaces that challenge traditional expectations of glass as fragile or purely functional.

Today, Dale Chihuly remains one of the most collected and recognizable living artists working in glass. His artwork is sought after by private collectors, museums, and public institutions worldwide. Through decades of innovation, Chihuly has permanently reshaped the history of contemporary glass art, establishing a legacy defined by scale, imagination, and technical mastery.