Written by: Emily Sabens, Public Relations Intern

Dale Chihuly is one of today’s most famous glass artists. Chihuly revolutionized the technique of glassblowing in the U.S. Inspired after a trip to Florence, Italy, where he saw artists working as a team to blow glass, he returned and began to apply the Italian concept of division of labor in glassblowing. When Chihuly worked with a team, he was able to create larger, more complex glass works.

Dale Chihuly. Basket Set, 1980. Glass. 6 1/4 x 14 inch. David Owsley Museum of Art. Gift of Marjorie P. Zeigler. 1997.016.000a-e

His works are featured all over the country, from the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston to the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. And, possibly most notably for Indiana residents, Chihuly created “Fireworks of Glass,” the 43-foot sculpture that serves as the centerpiece of the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.

Photo provided by the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis on Facebook

At the David Owsley Museum of Art, you can see one of Chihuly’s works for yourself. Made in 1980, “Seaform Set” is a perfect example of the artistic talent Chihuly possesses.

Chihuly loves visiting the beach. He believes that “if you work with hot glass and its natural properties, it begins to look like something that came from the sea.”

Many of Chihuly’s works are reminiscent of delicate, colorful shells—including this sculpture in our museum. Using a soft color palette, Chihuly creates glass forms that look as if they could have just been washed up from the ocean. He also creates a mini-environment, in some senses, by grouping together four of the smaller forms inside a larger vessel.

We at DOMA feel fortunate to have a beautiful work of art by Chihuly. Visit today to see “Seaform Set,” located in the John J. and Angeline Pruis Gallery.

Dale Chihuly. Basket Set, 1980. Glass. 6 1/4 x 14 inch. David Owsley Museum of Art. Gift of Marjorie P. Zeigler. 1997.016.000a-e