Grey Flute Series: Sea Blue

Zhuang Xiaowei combines the influences of European studio glass with Chinese philosophical traditions to create his pieces of work. As part of China Now in Scotland, his ‘Grey Flute Series: Sea Blue’ will be exhibited at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh from 14 March to July 2008.

The ‘Grey Flute Series: Sea Blue’ is a cast glass sculpture which aims to capture the spirit of traditional Chinese flute music – its visual form suggesting the flow of air across the holes of a Chinese flute.

Zhuang Xiaowei (born 1957) is celebrated as the pioneer of China’s Studio Glass Movement. Zhuang received his master’s degree from Wolverhampton University in 2000.

Since his return to China, he has been actively promoting the making and teaching of studio glass at the Institute of Fine Arts in Shanghai University. His students now teach at various art schools throughout China. Zhuang’s recent works were featured at SOFA Chicago 2006.

His artwork can be seen at National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh full details can be found at www.nms.ac.uk/scotland.

Article by Anna Baird