Dale Chihuly Raven Black Basket Pair with Yellow Interior Signed Hand Blown Glass Sculpture

Artist: Dale Chihuly
Title: Raven Basket Pair
Medium: Hand Blown Glass
Large Basket: 11" x 10.5" x 5"
Small Basket: 5" x 5" x 5"
Year: 2015
Inscription: Inscribed on bottom "Chihuly CW15"
Documentation: Includes gallery certificate of authenticity

A play in stark contrasts, Chihuly's Raven Basket pair juxtaposes a striking black exterior with a vibrant yellow interior. The unexpected color duo highlights the organic asymmetry in form for which Chihuly is famous. The jet black exterior of the baskets serves as a dramatic backdrop, accentuating the vividness of the contrasting yellow body wrap lines near the top. These lines, along with the sunny yellow lip wrap and interior, infuse the pieces with a sense of warmth and radiance, reminiscent of the sun's glow. The utilization of black glass in this work underscores Chihuly's technical prowess, as the color's reflective properties demand precision and expertise to achieve flawless execution. The result is a mesmerizing pair of baskets that captivate the viewer with their bold aesthetic and exquisite craftsmanship.

Dale Chihuly's "Raven Basket Pair" showcases the artist's mastery of glassblowing technique and his unique ability to infuse his pieces with vibrant energy and intense visual allure. The larger basket measures 5" high with a 10 1/2" diameter. Chihuly's Raven Basket Pair was created in 2015 as part of an edition from Chihuly's workshop, the set is signed “Chihuly CW15." Purchase includes a gallery certificate of authenticity from Modern Artifact.

About Dale Chihuly

Renowned for his exquisite glasswork and vibrant original paintings, Dale Chihuly stands as one of America's most celebrated contemporary artists. While his mastery of glass art brought him fame, Chihuly's talents span across various mediums, showcasing his versatility and artistic depth.

Chihuly's journey in the arts began in his youth, sparking a lifelong passion that led him to pursue extensive artistic education. Born in Tacoma, Washington in 1941, he studied Interior Design at the University of Washington before delving into the nation's inaugural glass program at the University of Wisconsin. A Fulbright Scholarship in 1968 granted him the opportunity to study glass blowing at Venice's esteemed Venini glass factory, where he absorbed the collaborative approach to glasswork that would shape his career. Furthering his education, he obtained a second master's degree from the esteemed Rhode Island School of Design, subsequently establishing and leading its inaugural glass department.

Maintaining ties to his roots, Chihuly founded the Pilchuck Glass School near Stanwood in 1971, a pivotal moment where he began pushing the boundaries of glass sculpture, birthing the innovative indoor and outdoor installations that would define his oeuvre. His groundbreaking debut exhibition in New York in 1971, featuring designs influenced by Navajo patterns, marked the beginning of a career trajectory marked by notable series such as Baskets and Cylinders, exhibited at the Smithsonian in 1978.

Chihuly's career soared throughout the 1980s, marked by expansive exhibitions worldwide and the evolution of his glasswork to incorporate bold colors and abstract shapes, notably showcased in his Seaforms series. Drawing from his diverse artistic background, including interior design and painting, Chihuly crafts multidimensional works that captivate with their intricate weaving techniques and thoughtful spatial relationships.

Despite a shoulder injury in 1979 that prevented him from blowing glass himself, Chihuly's expertise in painting and drawing enables him to convey his artistic vision to his team of glassblowers, ensuring the realization of his distinct aesthetic. Through his drawings and paintings, Chihuly continues to inspire with his unparalleled creativity and artistic innovation.