Glass maestro Lino Tagliapietra will be unveiling a new body of work this week at the Traver Gallery. Entitled “Profumo del Vetro” (“The Aroma of Glass” in English), the exhibit will feature over twenty never-before-seen pieces by the celebrated artist, and include works with bright new colors inspired by a trip to Australia. In a press release, the artist writes about visiting Down Under: “I must say that my experience there has come through strongly here. They embody my personality.” The nature of this experience certainly comes through in each piece’s color story as well as the artist’s use of flamboyant embellishments and patterns. The shapes of many pieces are reminiscent of the unique flora and fauna that are often romantically associated with the subcontinent of Australia.
In the impossibly curved Fenice, a poisonous snake, agitated and dangerous, is visible. An ornate series of birds that are definitely a highlight of the exhibition are covered in gorgeous, abstract patterns that challenge the viewer’s previous conception of what can and cannot go together.
Landscape is present here, as well. This body of work is comprehensive in its portrayal of deep blue oceans and rust desert sands. Apart from his interpretation of the land, the artist has also created three large, standing panels that very much contrast the rest of the work, which is largely sculptural. In these pieces, Taglipietra plays with color, dimension, and asymmetry in a way that ties what could have been awkward pieces to the rest of the body of work. Giuditta immediately catches the eye, and upon closer observation the viewer will be rewarded with the subtle intricacies that Tagliapietra’s work is known for.
—Vaughn Watson
IF YOU GO:
“Profumu del Vetro”
September 5th – 29th, 2013
Traver Gallery
110 Union Street #200
Seattle, Washington 98101
Website: www.travergallery.com