Dick and Johanna Marquis | Recent Works: New and Used

Before walking into the Dick and Johanna Marquis exhibition, Recent Works: New and Used, be prepared to be transported in time to a world filled with their eclectic inventions, ephemeral collections, and curious antiques. This exhibition features individual works by both artists and highlights the profound creative influence they have had on one another.

Richard (Dick) Marquis, is a pioneer of the American Studio Glass movement known for creating whimsical and irreverent glass and mixed media sculptures. In the late 1960’s Dick traveled to Murano, Italy on a Fulbright Scholarship to work at the Venini Factory. It was there where he saw murrini and other long-held Venetian glass blowing techniques being used. Since that time he has used these historical techniques to expand his sculptural vocabulary, building upon classical references to create the humorous, colorful and sophisticated work for which he has become widely recognized for. Johanna, his partner in life, is a painter, gardener, and a collector by nature. She has held positions as the Director of Foster White Gallery and of the Public Visual Arts Program for the Washington State Arts Commission. Johanna has exhibited her work at museums and galleries in the North West and her gardens have been featured in numerous publications. Together, they live on Whidbey Island where they maintain a beautiful home, garden, and studios. There, they create their unique bodies of work, influenced by the solitude of island-life, their collections of unique historical ephemera, their creative community, and the animal companions that live with them.

This exhibition coincides with an exhibition at the Museum Of Glass in Tacoma titled Keepers, a survey of Richard Marquis work and career from the 1960’s to the present. A monographed catalog will be published documenting the exhibition.