Artist: Dale Chihuly
Title: Starlight Seaform Macchia
Year: 2004
Medium: Hand-Blown Glass
Size: 5.75" x 9" x 7"
Inscription: "Chihuly PP04" (for Portland Press 2004)
Documentation: Includes a Gallery Certificate of Authenticity
A luminous exploration of color and form, Starlight Seaform Macchia exemplifies Dale Chihuly's mastery of glass as a sculptural medium. Part of his renowned Macchia series—named for the Italian word meaning "spot" or "stain", this work embodies the artist's fascination with vibrant, unexpected color combinations.
In this piece, deep indigo and violet hues cascade across the exterior, creating a celestial effect reminiscent of a starlit sky. These cool tones are electrified by a bold yellow lip wrap, which traces the undulating edge, enhancing its organic, wave-like motion. Chihuly's signature layering technique, in which a translucent white "cloud" separates the inner and outer colors, allows the saturated pigments to remain distinct while glowing from within.
Like all works in the Macchia series, Starlight Seaform Macchia captures the spontaneity and fluidity of glassblowing, with its rippling form and dynamic interplay of light and shadow. Signed and dated as part of the Portland Press Edition (2004), this stunning vessel is both a celebration of color and a testament to Chihuly's innovative approach to contemporary glass art.
About Dale Chihuly
Dale Chihuly is one of the most celebrated contemporary glass artists, renowned for his groundbreaking sculptures and large-scale installations. His work transforms spaces, as seen in the iconic Fiori di Como ceiling at the Bellagio in Las Vegas and the breathtaking Rotunda Chandelier at London's Victoria and Albert Museum. Chihuly's glass creations are among the most sought-after collectibles in the decorative arts world today.
Though initially indifferent to formal education, Chihuly pursued both scientific and artistic studies, earning degrees in sculpture from prestigious institutions. His passion for glassmaking led him to a Fulbright Fellowship in the late 1960s, where he apprenticed at the renowned Venini Glass Factory in Venice. Immersed in the Murano glassblowing tradition, he pioneered new techniques that helped revive and redefine the ancient art on a global scale.
Today, Chihuly's work is featured in over 200 major museum collections, and he has received 12 honorary doctorates for his contributions to the field. His most celebrated series include Cylinders and Baskets (1970s), Macchia, Venetians, and Persians (1980s), Niijima Floats and Chandeliers (1990s), and the dynamic Fiori series of the 2000s.
For more than 30 years, Chihuly has led his team of skilled artisans as an artistic director, following two accidents that left him blind in one eye and unable to hold the glassblowing pipe. This shift allowed him to push the boundaries of scale and form, further cementing his legacy as a visionary who redefined glass as a sculptural medium.