Venice

The 'new Murano', represented by the glass artists Cristiano Bianchin, Yoichi Ohira and Laura de Santillana, all of whom work in Murano, is attracting attention by widening the range of traditional techniques, forms and styles. All three artists have their own distinctive ideas on working with glass so their pieces are some of the most exciting studio glass being produced anywhere in the world. Cristiano Bianchin began his career as an artist with the vivid colours once so typical of Murano glass. By now, however, he is working in black-and-white and especially in shades of brown. He is adept at working in touches of colour and deploying transparency to emphasise earthy tones. Laura de Santillana, a granddaughter of Paolo Venini, founder of the celebrated Venini Venetian art glass works, is one of the few women glass designers in Murano. Her works are notable for striking sculptural forms and colours reminiscent of 1950s Colour Field painting. Born in Japan, Yoichi Ohara has been living and working in Murano for more than thirty years. The synthesis he has achieved of traditional Japanese aesthetics and Murano art glass makes him one of the most important contemporary creators of art glass worldwide.