Dale Chihuly Large 80” x 60” Signed ‘Love Ball’ Red and Green Original Diptych Painting Red and Green

Artist: Dale Chihuly
Medium: Original Acrylic Diptych Painting
Title: Love Ball
Size: 80" x 60"
Year: 1994
Inscription: Signed "Chihuly" in silver and yellow on front bottom, titled "Love Ball" in silver on front top, and inscribed "Let's Walk, Let's Talk" on bottom in silver
Documentation: Includes Gallery Certificate of Authenticity

This monumental 80" x 60" original diptych painting titled Love Ball by renowned artist Dale Chihuly is a rare and breathtaking work. Bold and dynamic, the original acrylic painting radiates with vivid red and green hues, a striking display of Chihuly's mastery of color and form. Signed in silver and yellow at the bottom and titled "Love Ball" at the top in silver, this extraordinary piece also includes the artist's inscription "Let's Walk, Let's Talk" in silver along the bottom, adding a personal touch to the abstract energy of the composition.

Created in 1994, Love Ball stands out as a testament to Chihuly's versatility beyond his famed glass sculptures. In over a decade of leading the secondary market for Dale Chihuly sales, this is the single largest painting by the artist we've encountered. The massive 80" x 60" size of this diptych allows the viewer to become fully immersed in its flowing colors and abstract design, making it a powerful centerpiece in any collection.

This original work is accompanied by a Gallery Certificate of Authenticity, further validating its rarity and significance in Chihuly's extensive body of work. Love Ball is not just a painting but a true celebration of color, emotion, and movement—an iconic piece from one of the most influential artists of our time.

About Dale Chihuly

Dale Chihuly, born on September 20, 1941, in Tacoma, Washington, is widely regarded as one of the most influential and innovative artists in the world of contemporary glass sculpture. Over the course of his career, he has elevated the medium of glass from a craft to a fine art form, gaining international recognition for his strikingly colorful and fluid installations, which appear in public spaces, museums, and private collections worldwide.

Early Life and Education

Chihuly's journey into the world of glass began somewhat unexpectedly. After initially studying interior design at the University of Washington, he transferred to the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), where he earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in sculpture. In the early 1960s, Chihuly's introduction to glassblowing at the University of Wisconsin-Madison ignited his passion for the medium. His talent and innovation soon led him to become a pivotal figure in the burgeoning American Studio Glass movement.

In 1968, Chihuly received a Fulbright Fellowship to study glass in Venice, where he worked at the prestigious Venini factory. This experience was pivotal in shaping his approach to teamwork in glassmaking, as Venetian glassblowers work collaboratively, a stark contrast to the more solitary nature of most studio artists.

Artistic Innovations and Style

Chihuly's early work focused on the exploration of the properties of glass as both a functional and artistic material. His creative vision pushed the boundaries of what could be achieved with glass, and he is best known for large-scale, site-specific installations that transform their surroundings. His work often emphasizes organic forms and vibrant, saturated colors. His signature style is characterized by intricate glass sculptures that mimic natural forms like sea creatures, flowers, and icicles.

One of Chihuly's key innovations was his pioneering use of gravity and centrifugal force in his glassblowing process, which allowed for more fluid and asymmetrical forms, departing from the more rigid symmetry of traditional glassmaking. His early series, such as Baskets, Cylinders, and Seaforms, highlight his interest in natural shapes and organic movement, themes that recur throughout his career.

Overcoming Adversity

Chihuly's career took a significant turn in 1976 when he lost vision in his left eye due to a car accident. Later, in 1979, a dislocated shoulder prevented him from physically blowing glass. Rather than marking the end of his glassmaking, these challenges forced Chihuly to adopt a new collaborative approach to his work. He became the director of his studio, guiding teams of artists and artisans to execute his vision—a practice that allowed him to tackle even more ambitious projects.

Major Works and Exhibitions

Chihuly's work has been showcased in some of the most renowned museums and galleries around the world, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, Louvre Museum in Paris, and Victoria and Albert Museum in London. His large-scale installations, such as Chihuly Over Venice (1996), where glass sculptures were suspended over the canals of Venice, and Chihuly in the Light of Jerusalem (2000), have cemented his reputation as a global art icon.

In addition to these public installations, Chihuly's work can be seen in several permanent exhibitions, most notably at the Chihuly Garden and Glass museum in Seattle, which opened in 2012. This museum is a testament to Chihuly's enduring influence and the widespread appeal of his vibrant, immersive creations.

Legacy and Impact

Dale Chihuly's influence on contemporary glass art cannot be overstated. By bringing the collaborative process of glassblowing into the fine arts sphere, he revolutionized the way glass art is perceived and created. His works are not merely sculptures; they are experiences, transforming public spaces and inviting viewers to engage with color, light, and form in a uniquely visceral way.

Chihuly's legacy also extends beyond his artistic achievements. Through his teaching and mentorship at RISD, and his establishment of the Pilchuck Glass School in Washington State, Chihuly has inspired a new generation of glass artists to explore the possibilities of this dynamic medium.

Even today, Chihuly continues to create, pushing the boundaries of glass art with innovative projects and exhibitions. His work is celebrated not only for its aesthetic beauty but also for its technical innovation, ensuring his place as one of the most important artists of the modern era.