Colour, Light and Transparency: Julia Beaumont visits the Chihuly in the Botanic Garden Exhibition in Adelaide

I was fortunate enough to attend the Dale Chihuly glass exhibition at the Adelaide Botanical Gardens recently. Many people may not be familiar with him, but they likely recognize the large orange and blue, swirling sculpture at the end of the exhibition at the Sculptureum Gallery in Matakana, one of Dale's creations.  Regardless of whether one is a painter, sculptor, or mixed-media artist, there is always something to be learned from other artists.

 All photos of Chihuly in the Botanic Gardens supplied by Julie Beaumont

As I admired the glass sculptures (yes, I may be a bit enthusiastic but I am a glass artist myself), I was captivated by the colour choices and how resplendent they appeared in the garden setting; the natural beauty enhanced the organic glass forms, making everything vibrant. Even more dramatic were the sculptural pieces he created for the water ponds, gently floating and swaying in the breeze—truly inspiring.

What is even more inspiring is the man himself. In his youth, he was involved in a car accident that resulted in the loss of an eye, seemingly hindering his passion for glassblowing. While also battling bipolar disorder, Dale has found his voice through a community of glassblowers who bring his visions to life, crafting some of the most beautiful contemporary glass sculptures in the world today. Apparently, a muted colour palette indicates a less positive state of mind, while bright colours suggest he is feeling well.

My greatest takeaway as an artist from this exhibition is the importance of continued experimentation with our art forms and colour choices, and that when we are feeling low, we should turn to our studios and see what emerges, because even muted works possess their own unique magic.