Black Cylinders by Dale Chihuly

Black Cylinder, 2008

6 x 6 x 6”

Black Cylinders

Since 1975, Chihuly has created an ever-evolving range of Cylinders with glass thread drawings fused onto molten bubbles. This revolutionary “pick-up drawing” technique has allowed Chihuly to integrate a wide range of motifs starting with his early works, particularly patterns inspired by Native American textiles.

Chihuly’s “pickup” drawing technique

Developed in 1974, this breakthrough technique involves pulling glass threads from glass rods and laying them out in an intricate design, which is then heated. By rolling a bubble of molten glass over the glass thread design, the resulting image is fully integrated into the form rather than laid or inlaid onto it.

Black Cylinders by Dale Chihuly