Lucio Bubacco
Italian, born 1957Watcher, 2009
On view
Lampworked glass, steel stand
Dimensions86 1/2 × 21 3/4 × 9 3/4 in. (219.7 × 55.2 × 24.8 cm)
Courtesy of the Isabel Foundation, L2017.140
In the 13th century all glass factories in Venice, Italy, were moved to the neighboring island of Murano to avoid the risk of fire overtaking the ancient city. By putting so many glassmakers close together, a tight knit community formed. Since that time some of the most well-known glass artists have called the island home. Born in Murano, Lucio Bubacco began working with glass as a young child, making small animals and beads using the flamework technique. This technique, also called lampworking, is a process in which rods of glass are held over a flame until they are soft and workable. The artist is then able to manipulate the glass into the desired shape. Fascinated with human anatomy Bubacco is particularly drawn to the style of ancient Greek and Egyptian forms. His elaborate, hand-formed objects incorporate the detail and elegance of Murano glass but his figurative subject matter is unique.
