Early Life and Education

José Chardiet was born in 1956 in Havana, Cuba. His family emigrated to the United States when he was four years old, settling in New Haven, Connecticut. Chardiet’s journey into the world of glass art began during his studies at Southern Connecticut State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1980. He furthered his education at Kent State University in Ohio, receiving a Master of Fine Arts degree in 1983.

Career and Teaching

Chardiet’s career in glass art is marked by both his creative work and his contributions to education. He has taught at several prestigious institutions, including the Pilchuck Glass School, Penland School of Crafts, and Haystack Mountain School of Crafts. From 1991 to 2000, he served as a Professor of Glass and Sculpture at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Artistic Approach and Style

Chardiet is renowned for his innovative glass sculptures, which often draw inspiration from diverse sources such as Spanish still-life painting, woodwind instruments, and African art. His work is characterized by the use of blowing and casting processes, aiming to imbue his sculptures with a spiritual and inner life. Chardiet emphasizes the importance of the interior or void of his pieces, believing that the true power of his work lies within these spaces.

Exhibitions and Collections

Chardiet’s work has been exhibited widely and is included in numerous private and public collections around the world. Some notable institutions that house his work include:

• Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, D.C.
• Museum of Arts and Design, New York, New York
• Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, New York
• Yokohama Museum of Art, Yokohama, Japan
• Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Lausanne, Switzerland
• Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida
• Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Massachusetts
• High Museum of Art, Atlanta, Georgia
• Detroit Institute of Art, Detroit, Michigan.
  
  

Awards and Honors

Throughout his career, Chardiet has received numerous fellowships and honors, reflecting his significant contributions to the field of glass art. These include:

• Fellowships from the Institute of International Education
• Ohio Arts Council
• Creative Glass Center of America.
  
  

Current Work and Legacy

Since 2000, José Chardiet has maintained a studio in Providence, Rhode Island, where he continues to create and innovate in the field of glass art. His work remains highly regarded for its technical mastery and the profound emotional and spiritual depth it conveys.

Chardiet’s legacy is one of a deeply thoughtful and technically skilled artist who has significantly influenced contemporary glass art. His sculptures continue to captivate and inspire audiences, offering a glimpse into the rich inner life that he so skillfully brings to the surface through his work.