ART FACTS: 'The King of Glass'

Jean-Claude Novaro, one of the greatest glass blowers of our time, recently exhibited his artworks at the Unicorn Gallery, Karachi. Curate by Bertrand Epaud the exhibition is a debut of the artist in South Asia which provides an opportunity for Karachiites to experience a new form of art in glass.
For about fifty four years, Novaro has perfected the art of creating glass sculpture with obsession. Born in France in 1943 Novaro began his lifelong passion for glass in 1957 when he was only 14 years old by joining apprenticeship at a glassworks in France. Novaro enjoys transforming the liquid glass into various shapes. He is known for his delicate style, depth and complex layers of colours in clear glass, which is a difficult task.
While going through his artworks I saw all his creations totally different from each other every piece is fascinating and unusual, which is truly amazing. He creates glass works just like portions of surreal landscapes blended with various colours indicating the depth of his mind which surface in the glowing material in his hand. He combines red, yellow and blue colour in a single piece with the tints of white along with clear or luminous glass. The vibrant hues in different pieces convey the message of life full of colours and harmony.
He is one of the premier glass artists in the world. His practice reveals the unseen feelings for glass art which emerge from inside. Different unique shapes grip the attention of viewers. He also invents new style and techniques to improve his work. He experimented with gold and mastered the incorporation of gold leaf into his glass. He uses integrated layers of 24 carats gold and photo luminescent pigment inside the glass thus creating some thing unique and especial. These luminescent pieces glow at night giving an inimitable style to his work. He is the first in the glass-making history to add luminescent elements, a spectacular invention, which he has patented. He also uses his hand painting in between the layers of glass.
Going through myriads of experiences he transforms his emotions in the glass. The crystal clear medium enables him to see and also let other's see the world clearly through them. He become famous not only for the technical mastery and innovation, but also for his solitary technique, a rarity even among the most accomplished glass maestros.
He harnesses his creative skills by sharing creative ideas through his art with primary focus or the expression. He gives a new perspective regarding our surrounding. His works present a challenge within its visual composition. His diverse works hold enthusiasm and show a bond with the artist.
He is also included in the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest hand blown coupe ever made. He has also been awarded the coveted 'Knight of Arts and Humanities' by the French government. He has over 125 individual and collective shows of his works to his credit which took place throughout the world, including France, Germany, Belgium, Japan, Switzerland, Italy, Holland, Saudi Arabia and the United States. His works are also displayed in 20 major Museums across the globe. Novaro is about to set up the first Glass Art School at Ras Al-Khamiah in the UAE for the Arab world and the region.
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