Venetian artist's debut China show to run until March

Lino Tagliapietra [Photo provided to China Daily]

Lino Tagliapietra's ongoing solo exhibition in China started in late August.

With that opening, the 84-year-old Venetian glass artist made his debut in the country.

The exhibition, Lino Tagliapietra: One of a Kind, which runs through March, is showcasing nearly 50 large pieces of art in glass spanning almost 20 years of his career, says Chang Yi, curator of the show and founder of Liuli China Museum where it is being held.

"Tagliapietra is a master of the craft whose influence on American studio glass permanently changed the landscape of contemporary glass art."

Studio glass is the term used to describe artworks that are produced after glass is given 3-D and other effects.

Venice has had a long history of creating art in the material that Tagliapietra calls "wonderful".

"Because it is alive … it is moving even when it is cool. It's connected with fire and water … created by humans and (it is) so natural at the same time," the artist says. "Glass is everything to me. Glass is my life."

Venetian glassware is a highly skilled craft, Chang says.

"Most Venetian glassmakers we know work exclusively in blowing glass and start learning it in their youth."