Artist: Dale Chihuly
Title: Pacific Sunrise Macchia
Medium: Hand Blown Glass
Size: 9.5" x 11" x 11"
Inscription: Inscribed on bottom "Chihuly PP06"
Year: 2006
Condition: Very good condition
Documentation: Includes gallery certificate of authenticity
Created in 2006, "Pacific Sunrise Macchia" is part of Dale Chihuly's Macchia series, a body of work that explores the expressive possibilities of color and form in glass. The term macchia, meaning "spot" in Italian, refers to the distinctive speckled surfaces achieved through the application of small fragments of colored glass to the vessel's exterior. This technique allows for complex visual interactions between color, translucency, and light.
Sunrise Macchia features a tranquil blue exterior dotted with accents of black, green, yellow and red contrasted with a vibrant, fiery red interior and finished with a marigold lip wrap. The interplay of colors echoes the natural splendor of a sunset over water. The undulating rim, finished with a defined lip wrap, frames the vessel's interior and emphasizes its fluid, organic contour. The interplay between interior and exterior color—separated by a thin cloud-like layer of white glass—is characteristic of the Macchia series and reflects Chihuly's experimental approach to layering and surface design.
Dale Chihuly's Sunrise Macchia i demonstrates the artist's technical mastery and his continued interest in expanding the sculptural and chromatic potential of glass. Through its subtle color gradations and asymmetrical form, "Pacific Sunrise Macchia" embodies the artist's ability to balance control and spontaneity within a carefully orchestrated process. The piece is inscribed "Chihuly PP06" on the underside, denoting its creation within the Portland Press editions, and is accompanied by a gallery certificate of authenticity.
About Dale Chihuly
Dale Chihuly (born September 20, 1941, in Tacoma, Washington) is an American artist widely recognized for his transformative contributions to the field of studio glass. Over his career, Chihuly has redefined glass as a medium for large-scale artistic expression, developing innovative techniques that merge color, form, and light. His work spans vessel forms, suspended installations, and public commissions, situating him among the most influential figures in contemporary glass art.
Chihuly studied interior design at the University of Washington, earning his degree in 1965, before pursuing graduate studies in sculpture at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), where he completed his MFA in 1968. While at RISD, Chihuly trained under Harvey Littleton, a pioneer of the American Studio Glass movement, and later received a Fulbright Fellowship to study traditional glassblowing techniques in Murano, Italy. These experiences informed his early adoption of a team-based approach to glass production, which became a defining characteristic of his studio practice.
In 1971, Chihuly co-founded the Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, Washington, establishing a hub for experimentation, education, and the development of new glass techniques. This initiative helped position the Pacific Northwest as a center of innovation in studio glass. Chihuly's early work focused on vessel forms and series such as Seaforms, which explored organic shapes and surface texture. Following injuries in the 1970s that limited his ability to blow glass directly, he increasingly relied on collaborative production methods, directing teams of skilled glassblowers to execute his complex visions.
Chihuly is particularly known for large-scale installations, including chandeliers, ceiling sculptures, and public art commissions that combine vivid color, fluid form, and intricate composition. Series such as Macchia, Persians, and Niijima Floats exemplify his exploration of surface patterning, layering, and light interaction. His works are included in major public and private collections worldwide, including the Victoria and Albert Museum, the de Young Museum, the Corning Museum of Glass, and the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibition in Seattle.
Through decades of experimentation and collaboration, Dale Chihuly has expanded the expressive possibilities of glass, bridging the gap between craft and fine art. His legacy encompasses both the objects he has created and his impact on the field, inspiring subsequent generations of glass artists. Chihuly remains a central figure in the study of contemporary art, celebrated for his innovative techniques, pioneering studio methods, and contributions to public art.
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