Dale Chihuly Blue and Red Pacific Sunrise Macchia Signed PP 2006 Hand Blown Glass

Artist: Dale Chihuly
Title: Pacific Sunrise Macchia
Medium: Hand Blown Glass
Size: 10" h x 11" w x 9" d
Inscription: Inscribed on bottom "Chihuly PP06"
Year: 2006
Condition: Very good condition
Documentation: Includes gallery certificate of authenticity

Created in 2006, "Pacific Sunrise Macchia" belongs to Dale Chihuly's Macchia series, a significant body of work devoted to exploring the expressive potential of color, translucency, and surface in blown glass. The term macchia, derived from the Italian word for "spot", refers to the distinctive mottled surfaces achieved through the application of small fragments of colored glass to the vessel's exterior. This technique produces intricate visual interactions as light passes through layered hues, resulting in a dynamic and immersive chromatic experience.

"Pacific Sunrise Macchia" features a tranquil blue exterior animated by speckled accents of black, green, yellow, and red. This cool outer surface contrasts sharply with a vibrant red interior, which is framed by a marigold colored lip wrap that accentuates the vessel's undulating rim. A thin, cloud like layer of white glass separates the interior and exterior colors, a hallmark of the Macchia series that heightens depth and luminosity while emphasizing Chihuly's experimental approach to color layering.

Measuring 10 inches high by 11 inches wide by 9 inches deep, the work balances fluidity and structure through its asymmetrical form and carefully controlled execution. The vessel's organic contours evoke natural phenomena, reinforcing Chihuly's longstanding interest in translating environmental impressions into sculptural glass. Inscribed "Chihuly PP06" on the underside, the piece was produced as part of the Portland Press editions and is accompanied by a gallery certificate of authenticity. "Pacific Sunrise Macchia" reflects Chihuly's ability to orchestrate spontaneity within a disciplined studio process, resulting in a work that is both visually arresting and technically accomplished.

About Dale Chihuly

Dale Chihuly (born September 20, 1941, in Tacoma, Washington) is an American artist internationally recognized for his transformative impact on the field of contemporary glass. Over the course of his career, Chihuly has expanded the expressive possibilities of glass through innovative uses of color, scale, and form, establishing the medium as a powerful vehicle for fine art and large scale installation.

Chihuly studied interior design at the University of Washington, earning his degree in 1965, before completing an MFA in sculpture at the Rhode Island School of Design in 1968. While at RISD, he studied under Harvey Littleton, a foundational figure in the American Studio Glass movement. A Fulbright Fellowship subsequently allowed Chihuly to study traditional glassblowing techniques in Murano, Italy, where he was introduced to collaborative, team based methods of production that would later define his practice.

In 1971, Chihuly co founded the Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, Washington, which became a major center for experimentation and education in glass. His early work focused on vessel forms, including the Seaforms and later the Macchia series, which pushed the boundaries of color application and surface treatment. After sustaining injuries in the 1970s that limited his ability to blow glass directly, Chihuly increasingly assumed the role of artistic director, leading teams of skilled artisans to realize complex and ambitious works.

Chihuly is best known for his large scale installations, including chandeliers, ceiling environments, and site specific public commissions. Series such as Macchia, Persians, Niijima Floats, and Baskets demonstrate his sustained interest in organic form, color saturation, and the interaction of light with translucent material. His work is held in major museum collections worldwide, including the Corning Museum of Glass, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the de Young Museum, and the Chihuly Garden and Glass in Seattle.

Through decades of innovation and collaboration, Dale Chihuly has reshaped perceptions of glass as an artistic medium. His legacy lies not only in the objects he has created but also in his influence on generations of artists, solidifying his position as one of the most important figures in contemporary glass art.