IGOR BALBI MASTER

Born in Murano in 1975, where his father and uncle were highly as regarded specialists in the flamework technique, Igor Balbi was nineteen when he made a commitment to develop himself in the field, boosted with an ambition to make absolutely unique pieces that would stand out beyond mere artiginal finesse.

Convinced of the importance of the empathetic relationship within the material and attracted by their quality and functional characteristics, during the time Igor has experienced the glass playing, challenging, stimulating, chasing and changing it, overcoming the traditional techniques of Murano to create his own personal lamp-blowing technique that today bears his name, recognized and studied by the Corning Museum Of Glass.

In his works Igor alternates and combines the sophistication of the technique with the classic shapes. Balbi’s mastery of technique and scientific insight allow him to unite colours, achieve effects and manage tensions in the material that chemically and technically are incompatible. The resulting goblets, glasses, bowls and scuptures he produces are exquisite one-offs: the chalice, a recurring element in the Murano tradition, is then reinterpreted and by his hands reborn as a unique piece of art.