Montague Gallery, a San Francisco Contemporary Fine Art House, Presents PRIMA VISTA by Lino Tagliapietra

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Category: Art, Museums, Galleries

Published on Thursday, 13 July 2017 07:19

Written by Janet Walker

Legendary Italian glassblower, widely considered the best in the world, Lino Tagliapietra's inaugural exhibition Prima Vista will be held in conjunction with the grand opening of Montague Gallery located at 445A Sutter Street in San Francisco.

The exhibition is on view from July 14 – August 12 with an artist's reception held on Friday, July 14th from 5:30 to 8 pm with Lino Tagliapietra in attendance.

Born on the island of Murano in Venice, where the distinctive Italian art form was born nearly a thousand years ago Tagliapietra's all-consuming passion for glassblowing began as a boy. To pursue what would become a legendary career, he dropped out of school at 11 and was apprenticed to the master blower Archimede Seguso, and was himself awarded the title of Maestro at the previously unheard of age of 21.

In his early career, he worked for some of the most prestigious Muranese glasswork companies, including Galliano Ferro, Venini, and Effetre International where he was a partner and artistic director.  By the 1980's, Tagliapietra began taking his career in an entirely new direction.

Leaving the factory structure and its constraints, Tagliapietra decided to follow his own creative vision. He struck out on his own as a solo artist, producing innovative, one-of-a-kind pieces that have established his reputation as the world's greatest living glassblower. He also decided to share his expertise in the creation of glass art by becoming a mentor to scores of aspiring glass artists. 

 (L) Lino Tagliapietra, Contarini, blown glass,16.5" x 13.5" x 5.75", 2016
(R) Lino Tagliapietra, Dinosaur, blown and carved glass, 53" x 18" x 7.25", 2005 

Today, Tagliapietra has been blowing glass for more than 70 years. He teaches and exhibits all over the world, as well as operating two primary studios, one in his hometown of Murano, and the other in his adopted hometown of Seattle. He is known as much for his generosity of spirit as for his stunning technical and aesthetic ability, his extraordinary use of color, and his constant pursuit of inspiration and innovation.

"We are beyond thrilled to present Lino's extraordinary work," said Dani Montague, owner of Montague Gallery. "This marks an incredible opportunity for the San Francisco Bay Area community to appreciate the creative spirit of one of this art form's true living geniuses."

Lino Tagliapietra, Africa, blown glass, 15.25" x 25.75" x 11.75", 2015          

Tagliapietra's exquisite and unique pieces grace some of the most prestigious museum collections in the world, including the de Young Museum in San Francisco, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and the Victoria and Albert Museum of London, as well as numerous galleries and private collections.

About Montague Gallery
Established in February of 2017, Montague Gallery is the only one of its kind in San Francisco. As a new contemporary fine art glass gallery featuring an expansive roster of world class artists, Montague Gallery showcases a broad range of glass art in a variety of techniques including blown, cast, flame-worked, and cut glass, as well as carefully selected paintings, jewelry and wood artwork.

Montague Gallery is located at 455A Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA, 94108.

For more information visit us online at www.montaguegallerysf.com

July 14 – August 12, 2017 at Montague Gallery
Artist's Reception, Friday, July 14th, 5:30 to 8 pm
Montague Gallery | 445A Sutter Street  San Francisco, CA  94108 | www.montaguegallerysf.com