Gaby Wagner, a German-born artist and designer who has since adopted France and Venice as her homes, is celebrated for her groundbreaking fusion of traditional Venetian glassmaking with global influences. Her journey into glass art began in the late 1990s, when she moved to Venice and started working alongside master Murano glassmakers, including Diego Dei Rossi of the Aureliano Toso glassworks. Wagner’s work is marked by a sophisticated interplay of transparency, elegance, and intricate reflections that capture both Venice’s cultural heritage and her own cosmopolitan experience.
Initially introduced to glass as a photographer for an Italian glass artist, Wagner soon fell in love with the medium and transitioned into design. Her early work, created with guidance from Murano’s glassmasters, explored glass as a medium for lamps and decorative pieces. During this period, Wagner was inspired by the Asian porcelain artifacts she had encountered in Paris. These porcelain pieces, often mounted on metal, motivated her to combine glass with bronze in her own work, which has become a defining element of her style.
Wagner’s latest collection, “Glass Meets Bronze,” debuted during Venice Glass Week and is now showcased at her studio in Palazzo Bernardo, a meticulously restored venue reflecting her dedication to art and design. This exhibition explores the relationship between glass and bronze, blending the ethereal delicacy of glass with the sturdy weight of gilded bronze. The zoomorphic structures that support the glass works are a nod to Venice’s maritime history, creating a stunning contrast that is both opulent and poetic.
Often drawing from her collection of historical glass, Wagner reinterprets classical designs with a modern twist. Her pieces reflect the influence of legendary Venetian glassmakers like Giacomo Cappellin and Vittorio Zecchin, particularly in their clean lines and refined elegance. Yet, Wagner sets her work apart by pairing these delicate glass creations with massive bronze elements, a combination that emphasizes the balance between fragility and strength.
Art historian and curator Cristina Beltrami has praised Wagner’s ability to transform classical glass forms by integrating them with zoomorphic bronze structures. This fusion honors Venetian tradition while showcasing Wagner’s contemporary approach, blending the past with the present in a truly innovative manner. Wagner’s works, featured in international galleries and admired by designers like Donna Karan, are now permanently exhibited in her Venetian studio, offering a fresh perspective on the evolution of glass art.
Through her continual experimentation with glass and metal, Wagner has established herself as a distinctive voice in contemporary glass art. Deeply rooted in the legacy of Venetian craftsmanship yet enriched by her global experiences, her creations continue to challenge the boundaries of glass and bronze, celebrating the unique beauty and complexity of these materials.
