Dale Chihuly Hibiscus Saffron Large 20” Seaform with Cobalt Blue Lip Wrap Signed 1989 Hand Blown Glass Sculpture

Artist: Dale Chihuly
Title: Hibiscus Saffron Seaform with Cobalt Blue Lip Wrap
Medium: Hand Blown Glass
Size: 7" x 20" x 11"
Inscription: Signed and dated "Chihuly 89"
Year: 1989
Documentation: Includes gallery certificate of authenticity

The late 1980s were a pivotal time for Dale Chihuly. The transition between Chihuly's early era and modern era aesthetics happened gradually, making it impossible to pinpoint exact beginning and end dates. Pieces like his 1989 Burnt Sienna and Crimson Seaform with Cobalt Blue Lip Wrap give us tremendous insight into the transition period.

In this work we can see a more vibrant color pallet compared to the muted earth tones that dominated his early era work. We also see the use of unusual color combinations in the unexpected, tonal combination of crimson and burnt sienna as well as his signature contrasting lip wrap in cobalt blue. Importantly, we see a monumental increase in scale. Measuring 7" x 20" x 11," the size and complexity of a work like this provides evidence of Chihuly's growing team of glassblowers.

Finally, this piece demonstrates Chihuly's increasing ability to blend the boundaries of his previously distinctive series. These seaform looks much more substantial when compared to the fragile, ethereal early examples. It also borrows some or the more ornate finishings of the Persian series. For Chihuly, innovation is a constant throughout his career, and in this seaform we can see him pushing boundaries and exploring new ideas in real time.

Dale Chihuly's Burnt Sienna and Crimson Seaform with Cobalt Blue Lip Wrap is signed and dated "Chihuly 89" and comes with a gallery certificate of authenticity from Modern Artifact.

About Dale Chihuly

Dale Chihuly, acclaimed as one of the preeminent contemporary glass artists worldwide, is renowned for his awe-inspiring monumental sculptures and installations. His artistic legacy includes the iconic ceiling at the Bellagio's flower garden in Las Vegas and the captivating Rotunda Chandelier gracing the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Chihuly's glass creations have become highly coveted collectibles among devotees of decorative arts.

Despite an initial indifference towards formal education, Chihuly immersed himself in academic pursuits, earning both scientific and artistic degrees in sculpture from esteemed graduate schools. While early interests leaned towards interior design and craft, his unwavering passion for glass emerged as his true calling. As a Fulbright Fellow in the late 1960s and an apprentice at the Venini Glass Factory in Venice, Chihuly mastered the intricacies of Murano glasswork. His groundbreaking experiments with glassblowing played a pivotal role in resurrecting the ancient art form on a global scale.

Present in over 200 of the world's most distinguished decorative art collections, Chihuly's monumental and small-scale artworks attest to the enduring appeal of his creative vision. The artist holds an impressive twelve honorary doctorates.

Among his most celebrated series are the Cylinders and Baskets from the 1970s, followed by the Macchia, Venetians, and Persians in the 1980s. The 1990s witnessed the creation of Niijima Floats and Chandeliers, while the 2000s introduced the Fiori series.

For more than three decades, Dale Chihuly has served as the artistic director of his team of craftsmen. This role became pivotal after two accidents rendered him blind in one eye and unable to handle the blowing tube. Despite these challenges, the shift allowed him to envision the vast possibilities of glasswork on a grander scale, all while preserving his distinctive and recognizable artistic style.