Dale Chihuly Washington (b. 1941) FREE-FORM BASKET yellow glass signed: on underside H8" *Provenance: Property of a South Carolina museum; sold to benefit the Acquisitions Fund. *Artist biography: Dale Chihuly was born in 1941 in Tacoma, Washington. He received a B.A. from the University of Washington in 1965, an M.S. from the University of Wisconsin in 1967 and an M.F.A. from the Rhode Island School of Design in 1968. Two Fulbright Fellowships allowed him to study the art of glassmaking in Venice. In a city known for its glasswork as well as its canals and stunning light, Chihuly learned the art of glassblowing and that of teamwork-a crucial and integral part of his production. In 1971 Chihuly co-founded the Pilchuck School, which has made the Northwest the epicenter of the glass world. His work has been shown in solo and group exhibitions throughout the world, and he is one of only three Americans to have had a solo exhibition at the Louvre. Chihuly is known for pushing the glass envelope past all imaginable limits. He broke with the tradition of symmetrical glass by designing organic-looking vessels that resemble huge clamshells or flower petals. His work suggests movement, capturing the shape of the molten flow of the medium. Whether regarding his small-scale blown glass works, large sculpture or site-specific installations, Chihuly creates a sense of wonder and excitement that has captured the world's attention.