My Love Affair with Dale Chihuly

“Glass is the most magical of all materials.”

~Dale Chihuly

I first fell in love with the work of glass artist Dale Chihuly during a visit to London to see my daughter Emily who was studying abroad at the time.  There in the rotunda of the Victoria and Albert Museum was the most spectacular chandelier I had ever seen.  I almost fell over the balcony railing,  stunned by the beauty of the installation.

Chihuly rotunda chandelier at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London

Recently I  made a pilgrimage to another exhibit of Chihuly’s work, this time a bit closer to home.  “Chihuly: Through the Looking Glass” is currently on display at Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts through August 8th.  This spectacular exhibit holds appeal for all ages from young children to adults and is NOT to be missed!

Banner announcing the Chihuly exhibit at the MFA Boston

“One night in 1965 I melted a few pounds of stained glass in one of my kilns and dipped a steel pipe from the basement into it. I blew into the pipe and a bubble of glass appeared. I had never seen glassblowing before. My fascination for it probably comes in part from discovering the process that night by accident. From that moment, I became obsessed with learning all I could about glass.”

~Dale Chihuly

What Chihuly has done with that knowledge over the years is on full display at the MFA exhibit.  A few of my favorite moments from “Through the Looking Glass”…

Ikenebana Boat~ have you ever seen a boat like this at any harbor you've visited?!

Such an inviting table...

This glass garden exemplifies Chihuly’s “when one is good, a dozen is better” philosophy just beautifully.

Mille Fleuri~ literally, a thousand flowers.

Unbelievable glass ceiling ~ not to be confused with the national debt ceiling!

I love the sense of whimsy here. Can you find the hidden starfish?

Another Chihuly chandelier, I have the perfect place for this one in my home!

Reminiscent of the Fiery Sunset Posh Palette Presentation Panel, I find these colors so vibrant and inspiring!

“Through the Looking Glass” is a phenomenal exhibit that will leave you both inspired and infused with a sense of wonder and awe.  Truly amazing work by a visionary artist. I do hope you have a chance to visit!

“I never met a color I didn’t like.”

~Dale Chihuly  (and Pamela Copeman)

xo,

Pamela

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