Paul Marioni

Paul Marioni (1941–2026) was a glass artist whose work was about human nature and is often inspired by his dreams.

Known as an innovator in the glass world, Marioni pushed his techniques to their limits, regularly redefining what is possible to achieve with the medium.

I work with glass for its distinct ability to capture and manipulate light. While my techniques are often inventive, they are only in service of the image.

– Paul Marioni

He exceled not only technically in glass, but he also used it as a powerful conceptual platform: his enamel portraits and blown sculptures have existential poignancy. Marioni was a mainstay in the studio glass scene since the 1970s. He was asked by Dale Chihuly to teach at Pilchuck Glass School in its second year, and also taught at the Penland School of Crafts, among other schools and programs internationally.

His artwork can be found in the collections of the Museum of Arts and Design, Corning Glass Museum, Oakland Museum of California, and the Renwick Gallery of the National Museum of American Art, among others.

Paul Marioni, Looking Back, 2001. Russell Johnson photograph
Paul Marioni, Looking Back, 2001. Russell Johnson photograph
Paul Marioni
Paul Marioni, Lickin’. Courtesy of Susan Steinhauser & Daniel Greenberg, Russell Johnson photograph
Paul Marioni, Black Jaguar, 1987. Russell Johnson photograph
Paul Marioni, Black Jaguar, 1987. Russell Johnson photograph
Paul Marioni, The Visitor, 1984. John Maeda photograph
Paul Marioni, The Visitor, 1984. John Maeda photograph
Paul Marioni, The Fallen Hero, 1978
The Fallen Hero, 1978
Frida, 1992. Painted and blown glass, 21 x 7 x 7, Collection of Susan Stinsmuehlen-Amend, Russell Johnson photograph
Frida, 1992. Painted and blown glass, 21 x 7 x 7, Collection of Susan Stinsmuehlen-Amend, Russell Johnson photograph
Paul Marioni
Paul Marioni