Photographed in April at the Seattle Center next to the Space Needle, “The Sun” is a signature installation of renowned glass sculptor, Dale Chihuly. As part of an effort to revitalize the Seattle Center, Chihuly agreed to establish a comprehensive exhibit of his work and designed Chihuly Garden and Glass which opened on May 21.

It includes an 8-gallery Exhibition Hall, the Glasshouse and Garden. One of 4 glass sculptures in the outside Garden, “The Pacific Sun,” as this latest version is known, is an explosion of over 2000 pieces of hand-blown glass protruding from a steel core in a vibrant array of yellow, orange, red and blue colours. It has a diameter of almost 5 metres. This photo is the upper half of only one installation among many awe-inspiring original pieces. In the Glasshouse structure, inspired by Chihuly’s love of conservatories, is one of his largest suspended sculptures – 30.5m long, consisting of 1000 pieces.

Of note are the three Drawing Walls in the Exhibition Hall. Early in his career, Chihuly lost sight in one eye and dislocated his shoulder. Rather than seeing himself as handicapped, he saw this as an opportunity to step back from his work, examine it from different perspectives and anticipate problems more quickly. This required leaving the glass blowing to other workers, but enabled him to brilliantly orchestrate his work. The Drawing Walls consist of paintings by Chihuly which communicate the possibilities of colour and design in his glass works.

Chihuly’s work is exhibited in over 200 museums worldwide, but now we have the opportunity to see his “personal museum” practically in our own backyard. The Chihuly Garden and Glass website (www.chihulygardenandglass.com) also offers us amazing views and insights.