Davide Salvadore


Personal Statement:

Working with glass is full of profound meaning and depth. For the true artisan, it means to be playful and joyful, acknowledging the constant presence of your art in the daily life. As for myself, my life is glass and my constant drive for perfection in my work is my ambition. It is a way of life, where my work ethic surpasses the simple notion of a job, and enters into a transcendental realm of passion, artistry, and wholehearted service to my art. My final products are incarnations of my perspective on the world, life, and emotions. My pieces aren’t lifeless, but alive within themselves containing the memories of my past, sentiments of the present, and aspirations of the future. I only acknowledge a piece is completed when I hold it in my arms and witness the elements of creation that were involved then and in my mind the moment I was inspired to create.

My artwork finds its source of inspiration from the culture, landscape, people, and way of  life that the African continent contains. First and foremost the direction of my inspiration is guided by the perpetual image of “Ancella.” The unforgettable image of a woman gently carrying a vase on her head. The strong and exaggerated use of colors, truth, and sinuosity of her movement inspire me with the ideas necessary to initiate my work.


In the African culture, colors are fundamental factors of identification. Hence, I have mostly utilized earth tone colors in the composition of my pieces. As well as incorporating other elements of African style such as vases (Fusi), musical instruments (Chitimarra), shields and spears, and boats. Meeting the demands of the contemporary glass blowing industry, I am utilizing some of the oldest Venetian glass blowing techniques such as Murrine and Canes, Incalmo and Axis Changing. In order to create exquisite works of arts for the upcoming future you have to always keep in mind the true essence of glass blowing—transparency. My position strives on uniting the technical perfection of the Venetian tradition with the evolving contemporary artistic taste.

To understand my artwork completely, it is essential for the connoisseur to experience it directly with his senses. Unlike various other art forms, in glasswork it is essential for the participant to utilize his sense of touch. Sight alone is insufficient. I encourage my audience to have a real encounter with my work. I want them to touch it, caress it, and to understand the shapes and movements. Simply, I want the enthusiast to experience what I feel for my art—passion and love.

Biography:

Mr. Salvadore was born in Murano, Italy in 1953. As a descendant from a family of glassworkers, he has always lived and worked on the Venetian island. At a very early age he began following his grandfather Antonio and glass master Alfredo Barbini into the furnaces of Murano. This is where his earliest lessons to more advanced techniques in glassblowing began. Later in his youth he joined glass master Loredano Rosin and his team, where he served for 4 years

.
Salvadore as a youth in his grandfather's studio

In addition, he assisted Venini, Barovier, and Toso glasshouses and various other craft studios on the island. In his mother’s jewelry studio is where he initiated production of lamp-worked beads. This would lead to a series of pieces involving fashion and designer names such as Roberta di Camerino, Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, and Swatch.

In 1987 he founded the studio "Campagnol E Salvadore" which, along with 2 other partners, he still manages today. In his studio, utilizing the kilns he built himself, Davide works as a glass master combining “Old Furnace” techniques in new innovative ways. The results were instantly accepted and over time Davide began working and collaborating with the most prestigious glass houses on Murano. Mr. Salvadore has conducted professional glass blowing services at many studios including: Nason & Moretti Vincenzo Nason, La Murrina Istituto d'Arte di Venezia, Andrea Anastasio, Giorgio Vigna, Florys Meydam, Frank Borst, and Massimo Nordio.

Davide Salvadore is also a founding member of "Centro Studio Vetro." This organization is a non-profit cultural association established in 1997 whose mission was set to cultivate and promote the lifestyle and art of glass. Amongst its various duties, the association published Vetro, an international glass art magazine, and hosted an annual international workshop (2001-2003).

 

Click here to return to the Artist-of-the-Month page.

 

last updated on 19 mar 2008.


Sitemap:

   
AACG Information AACG Activities Events General Information Seeing Glass Market Place Links
AACG Homepage