A lifelong dedication to glass
- The furnace has proven irresistible to Matteo since childhood
- From an early age, he displayed the natural flair and sensitivity of the master craftsman
- He promotes new styles and influences
At the age of 16, Matteo Tagliapietra started working as a pupil and apprentice of Mario Gambaro, master and owner of Murano's Gambaro & Poggi furnace. By the time he was 21 he was already a master craftsman, thanks to exceptional skills that enabled him to interact with the material and tame it with ease. Matteo's uncommon versatilitỳ and flexibility got him noticed, and he became a team leader in the furnace itself. A pioneer in the language of glass, he has tried his hand at various types of work, particularly artistic glassware. In 2015, Matteo founded Gambaro & Tagliapietra with the firm's heirs. Today, not only is he master craftsman, partner and promoter, but, together with Luciano Gambaro, he also creates styles and combinations that breathe new life into the thousand-year-old art of Murano glass.
Interview
- What is it about glass that appeals to you?
- Here in Murano, glass is more than just a profession. It is a passion rooted in the history and tradition of our families. I love the extremely malleable nature of glass, which allows us to make anything we want.
- How would you describe the rules around the furnace?
- Like every system, the furnace needs to be maintained with discipline and order. We are a team with a leader who is the master artisan, and everyone is an essential part of the complex running of the furnace.
- What do you most enjoy making?
- I have always had a soft spot for household accessories, but lately I have been developing ideas for objects for lighting and dining, and designs that blend in with the home to become part of the architecture.
- What is the best part of being a glassblower?
- New challenges, and my next project. It will be difficult, but really rewarding once I have finished it. Being a partner and master craftsman of a Murano furnace is about fulfilling a dream I have had ever since I was a boy.
Matteo Tagliapietra is a master artisan: he began his career in 1989 and he started teaching in 2003
Where
Matteo Tagliapietra
