Ohira’s Life and Artistic Development
After completing his education at the Kuwasawa Design School in Tokyo in 1969, Ohira embarked on a journey in glassblowing as an apprentice at the Kagami Crystal Company, Ltd. His exposure to the fashion realm during this period left an enduring imprint on his creative process, manifesting in the harmonious equilibrium, refined contours, and lively kaleidoscopic motifs evident in his creations.
Driven by the quest for artistic evolution, Ohira pursued academic pursuits at the Venice Academy of Fine Arts from 1973 to 1978, immersing himself in the captivating realm of Murano glass. His enthusiasm and innate talent flourished, garnering prestigious accolades for his dissertation "The Aesthetics of Glass".
Murano Glass from “Anfora”
The work of Yoichi Ohira is deeply linked to the art of glassmaking and to the Island of Murano, where he created artworks in collaboration with the glassworks Anfora.
Since the 1970s, the Ferro family's furnace has been dedicated to the craft of glassmaking. Renowned for producing high-quality artistic glass in classic styles, the furnace quickly gained recognition both nationally and internationally. Leveraging its profound expertise in traditional techniques, the furnace later specialized in crafting exceptional replicas.
During the 1980s, the company commenced collaborations with numerous artists and designers, many of whom still frequent the furnace. The company adepts in intricate glassmaking techniques such as reticello, incalmo, zanfirico, and sommerso, which is skillfully executes. Particularly, they revel in shaping glass by hand to unveil hidden forms, establishing an intimate connection with this remarkable yet resilient material.
