Exhibition | The Infinite Possibilities of Glass Art

The Infinite Possibilities of Glass Art

What is glass art? Glass art is an artistic form that, through its unique material and techniques, bestows unlimited possibilities upon creation. The 1878 Paris Exposition Universelle, where Émile Gallé's work shone brightly, marks a significant starting point in the development of glass art. Gallé's works often feature plant themes, with every leaf or flower filled with poetic space, which not only stems from his literary cultivation and humanistic spirit but also results from his continuous exploration of glass techniques.

William Morris, one of the promoters of the modern Arts and Crafts movement, believed that the ideal state of arts and crafts is "the unity of heart and hand, the fusion of emotion and skill." This concept is fully embodied in the works of the artists in this exhibition. In addition to Gallé, a pioneer of glass art, glass artists of the Impressionist era opened up new possibilities for sculptural creation from the perspective of material. François Décorchemont's exploration of glass colors made light an essential element in creation, injecting new vitality into this art form.

By the 1960s, the rise of the American Studio Glass movement brought a new direction to glass art. At the same time, British contemporary kiln-cast glass artist Keith Cummings was also constantly trying new expressive techniques. Artists from every era and region have endowed glass art with different profound and moving expressions. In the East, Huixian Yang has pioneered a new era of glass art. She bases her work on ethnic styles, creating flowers through the lost-wax casting method, using layers of opacity and transparency to truly reproduce the moment of blooming, symbolizing the dialogue between the transient and the eternal in nature. This exploration of new artistic expressions makes glass art a perfect reflection of the creator's technique and creativity.

The "Why Glass?" series of exhibitions focuses on this unique artistic development journey, paying tribute to these artists who continuously pursue and innovate. It is their unremitting efforts that give glass art its extraordinary and eternal significance.

LIULI CHINA MUSEUM
Curator Loretta Yang

WHY GLASS？
Exploring Mystery and Emotion with LIULI Art

The development of glass art from the
nineteenth century to the contemporary era
Thirty-five internationally influential glass art masterpieces
A century-spanning timeline
Spanning three continents: Europe, America, and Asia
Diverse creative styles, techniques, and schools