Richard Marquis (b.1945)
Murrine goblet sculpture
Murrini patchwork
Signed and dated 1979 on bottom
6 1/2" x 4 1/2"

Very good conition, no noticeable defects
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Provenance: Collection of Michael and Lynda Adelson. Cambria, CA

While Richard “Dick” Marquis is a rather unassuming artist steadily working out of his studio on Whidbey Island, Washington, he is largely responsible for carrying classic Italian glassblowing techniques into a modern and international limelight. Infusing a sense of whimsy and playfulness with the delicate craftsmanship of classic Italian glassblowing, Marquis’ artwork (both universally charming and infinitely intriguing) has inspired a movement of modern glassblowers across the globe and brought him worldwide respect in the art community.

His studies into the art of glass began in Berkeley, at the University of California where Marquis took lessons in ceramics and glassblowing while earning his BA. Graduating in 1969, the young artist became a proud recipient of a Fulbright-Hayes Fellowship that would allow him to travel to Murano, Italy. There he would study glassblowing techniques for one year with the Venini Glass Factory under the tutelage of Italian masters. Marquis was, in fact, one of the first Americans ever to be granted such first-hand apprenticeship of Italy’s signature techniques at the esteemed Venini. Both passionate and committed to the craft, and with natural skill, Marquis absorbed his lessons well and after his year of studies abroad he was exhibiting a firm grasp on the use of Filigrana and even Murrini (a technique exclusive to Italian glass artists from its invention in the 15th century). Though he left Italy to continue his studies back at the University of California, Marquis would make many return trips to continue sharpening his skills beside his Italian mentors. He would be the first to bring the Murrini techniques to glassblowing in the U.S., and after achieving his Masters in 1972 he would bring lessons in the technique to audiences across the globe; in the U.S., Asia, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
His experimental spirit and knack for combining new materials and methods in his glass work has broadened the concept of glass art into a new realm for a wider audience than ever before. While maintaining the precision of material manipulation and masterful levels of control, Marquis utilizes stimulating color palettes, toys with textures, melds the quixotic with the classic and generally forces viewers to discard any preconceived notions of what glass art is with his every new piece. One of his recurring and most recognizable subjects are glass teapots: the common image shaped from delicate glass into vehicles for political statements, goblet bases, textural explosions, Seussian experiments with dimension and color, and in his latest work, actual vehicles, wheels and all.

This humble artist hailing from Bumblebee, Arizona, has been warmly embraced internationally by critics, contemporaries and art appreciators. Marquis’ work has been shown in solo and group exhibitions from New York to New Zealand, Tasmania to Munich. He’s also received a long list of honors and awards, including Lifetime Achievement awards from the Glass Art Society and Art Alliance of Contemporary Glass. Currently, Marquis is the artist in residence at the Pittsburgh Glass Center while opening his latest exhibition, titled Marquis, Marioni and Mount at Concept Art Gallery.

Notable Awards & Honors:
1963- National Merit Scholarship
1967- President’s Fellowship, U.C. Berkeley
1969- Fulbright Grant, Venice, Italy: Venini & Co.
1974,78, 81, 90- National Endowment for the Arts Grant
1982,88- Fulbright-Hayes Grant, New Zealand
1995- Elected to College of Fellows of the American Crafts Council, NY
2009- James Renwick Alliance Masters of the Medium Award, Smithsonian
Institute, Washington DC
2010- Neddy Artist Fellowship, The Behnke Fellowship, Seattle, WA

Selected Works:
1966- Double Handled Vessel
1967- Trapezoidal Bottle
1969-70- American Acid Capsule with Cloth Container
1970-80- American Glass Teapot Collection
1970- Potato Landscape Piece


Notable Exhibitions:
1974- Realities Gallery, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
1993- Glass ‘93 in Japan, Odakyu Museum, Tokyo
2000- Galerie Rob Van Den Doel, The Hague, The Netherlands
2010- Razzle Dazzle Man, Caterina Tognon, Arte Contemporanca, Venice
2013- Masters of Studio Glass: Richard Marquis, Corning Museum of Glass

Very good