Maestro: Recent Works by Lino Tagliapietra

July 14, 2012 - January 6, 2013

Organized by Tagliapietra Studio

Maestro: Recent Works by Lino Tagliapietra showcases 65 glass masterpieces from the past decade. Beginning at the age of eleven, Lino has been perfecting his glassblowing skills through observation, repetition, and production. He was trained by Muranese glass masters and has become internationally recognized as the maestro of contemporary glass. Lino has invented numerous techniques and designs that are technically flawless and visually breathtaking, yet filled with complexity and difficulty. Lino, now 77 years old, through his work has become a cultural icon in the glass world and has earned the reputation as "the greatest living glassblower." While most of his peers retire long before age 77, Lino is still blowing his own glass. He has said, "I hope that people see the love, the love for the material, the love for the fire. For the art I try to be honest with myself. That's all."

Maestro gives visitors the opportunity to see Lino's most recent series. The exhibition shows his evolution to larger works, bolder colors, and patterns over his nearly fifty years as an artist. When visitors come to MOG six pieces will leave you breathless: colorful butterflies (Borboleta), boats (Endeavor), seagulls (Gabbiani), and two seperate collections of shields (Masai).

A catalog co-published with the University of Washington Press accompanies the exhibition. It features an essay by Dr. Claudia Gorban, professor of film studies at University of Washington Tacoma, who investigates the medium of glass as alchemy and the artist's role in university elevating the art and craft of glassmaking and changing the course of contemporary glass worldwide.