Lino Tagliapietra

Perhaps the most illustrious Venetian glassblower and artist in the world, Lino Tagliapietra was born in 1934 in Murano, where the tradition of glassworking dates back to 1291. Precociously talented, he began to work as an apprentice at the age of 11 and never stopped. Very curious and open-minded, at 21 he was already considered a master. He worked for the most important glass manufacturers and then by himself. An unstoppable experimenter, living in symbiosis with glass, he has had a crucial role in spreading the Venetian culture of glass across the world, namely in the United States, where he lives part of the year. Besides teaching and collaborating with other artists, he also collaborated with scientists at MIT. His pieces are the result of his creativity, aesthetic eye and technical skills coming together in harmony.

Born on the island of Murano in 1934, Lino Tagliapietra was apprenticed to a glassblower, Archimede Seguso, at the age of 11. He demonstrated an exceptional dexterity with glass from a very early age, and was honoured with the title of “Maestro” when he was just 21. In 1979 he visited Seattle and introduced Venetian glassblowing to the Pilchuck School. This was the start of a long cross-cultural collaboration, which continues to this day as he splits his time between Murano and Seattle. He has worked as an independent artist since the 1990s, producing his own works, free of contractual obligations.

The catalyst for the strong influence of the American art glass studio movement on Lino Tagliapietra’s work was a collaboration with Dale Chihuly. During their many exchanges, Tagliapietra would teach Chihuly Venetian glassworking techniques as well as those developed by himself, and Chihuly would teach Tagliapietra his own techniques. The Venice Biennale had a great influence on his work as he visited the works and installations of artists who have now become emblematic symbols of 20th-century art, including Mark Rothko and Barnett Newman.

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