On View
On viewObject number2006.14
Basket Drawing
Artist
Dale Chihuly
(American, 1941-)
Date2005
Mediumacrylic on Arches Archival Paper
Dimensionssheet: 60 × 40 in. (152.4 × 101.6 cm)
frame: 5 ft. 8 5/8 in. × 48 5/8 in. × 7/8 in. (174.3 × 123.5 × 2.2 cm)
frame: 5 ft. 8 5/8 in. × 48 5/8 in. × 7/8 in. (174.3 × 123.5 × 2.2 cm)
Credit LineElisabeth Claire Lahti Fund
Exhibition History"Warhol, Chihuly and Others: Showcasing New KIA Acquisitions," KIA (Dec. 8, 2007 - Jan. 27, 2008).
"A Legacy for Kalamazoo: Works Acquired through the Elisabeth Claire Lahti Fund, 1998 - 2012," KIA (Sept. 29, 2012 - Jan. 20, 2013).
KIA Collection Highlight (Summer 2024)Label TextDale Chihuly (b. 1941) is most well known for his work with glass but, his works on paper offer a fascinating glimpse into his creative process. One of the most striking aspects of Chihuly's drawings is their fluidity and dynamism. Whether depicting swirling forms reminiscent of his glass sculptures or abstract compositions inspired by the natural world, Chihuly's drawings possess a captivating sense of movement and vitality. Often created while standing over the paper, his use of line and color is alluring, creating compositions that are at once harmonious and dynamic. Unlike the controlled environment of the glass studio, Chihuly’s drawings are driven by experimentation and spontaneity. His sketches serve as a means of exploration, allowing him to test out new ideas and concepts before committing them to glass. In this sense, his works on paper are essential tools for innovation and discovery, serving as a playground for his imagination to roam freely. However, works like Basket Drawing are not merely preparatory sketches; they are works of art in their own right, they are uninhibited and imbued with energy. Whether he is working in glass or on paper, baskets have been a part of Chihuly’s work since the late 1970s and his first major drawing series was Basket Drawings. Chihuly was inspired by the baskets of Northwest Indigenous tribes he saw at the Washington State Historical Society. He admired the meticulousness required as well as the organic, asymmetrical shapes they often took. Chihuly didn’t just incorporate Indigenous basketry and textile motifs into his own artwork, he helped create a reciprocal exchange of inspiration and influence with Indigenous communities. The introduction of glass art into American Indian communities was largely propelled by the innovative efforts of Lloyd Kiva New, Cherokee and co-founder of the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA), and Dale Chihuly. [Collection Highlight]
