Home Page

ABOUT

ARTIST STATEMENT
"Glass, as a complex medium, adds an extra element to my art that cannot be duplicated with any other media. It is an ever-changing material, full of life of its own that requires immediate decision making, demanding complete presence to the moment on hand, and with it becomes an extension of my personality. It has a mysterious and wondrous quality of acting simultaneously as liquid and solid. My art is a transformation of shapes and colors that highlight and reveal my inner self. The use of multiple colors and patterns at times happen as randomly as thoughts come and go, as quickly as emotions change. The latest work I created is a progression of several classical, yet newer, bolder and freer forms. These sculptural pieces further define the images and emotions of my imagination that I capture to share with my audience."
~ Tadashi Torii

BIOGRAPHY
Born in Osaka, Japan, Tadashi moved to the United States and began studying business at Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus. After taking a class in the school’s glass blowing studio, his life changed when he realized he had found his true calling in art. Tadashi graduated with his BFA in glassblowing/sculpture in 1997.

Soon after graduation Tadashi moved to Knoxville, Tennessee to work for over five years with world renowned glass artist Richard Jolley. In 2002 Tadashi moved to Atlanta, Georgia assisting artist Matt Janke in his studio. Starting in 2005 for over five years Tadashi functioned as the studio manager in another local studio. He deepened his knowledge on maintenance of equipment, teaching all levels of glass blowing, offering workshops, continuing to create and show his art, winning him numerous awards including multiple ‘Best in Shows’ and ‘First Places’.

Beyond working for seasoned glass blowers, continuously improving his skills, Tadashi furthered his skills in 2008 by participating in Travis Tyler’s “Boro Advanced Pattern” workshop as well as the Emilio Santini’s “Goblet workshop”. In 2009 he participated in the Lauren Stump’s “Advanced Soft Glass Sculpture” workshop. In 2010 Tadashi was juried into the “Vetro Sensazionale: Italian Masters Session” workshop, taught by Italian maestro Pino Signoretto offered through the Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center in Millville, New Jersey.

Over the past 20 years Tadashi and his wife German artist Corina Pia primary country of residence has been the United States. In 2011 they relocated to Western North Carolina. Here Tadashi is creating his own unique collection of art and functional glass pieces inspired in part by his heritage, nature and the human experience. In contrast to fast paced city living the couple enjoys the delightful inspiration of mountains, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and wide open skies.

Tadashi Torii’s work can be found in numerous private collections, public spaces such as The Four Season Hotel and museums including the Tifton Museum of Arts and Heritage in Georgia, the Wiregrass Museum of Art in Dothan, Alabama, the Albany Museum of Art in Georgia and the Tennessee State Museum in Nashville.

EDUCATION
2010
Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center, Millville, New Jersey
Michael Shunke, Pino Signoretto, Vetro Sensazionale – Intense Goblets, and Sculpture Workshop

2009
Johnathon Schmuck, Assistant Artist for Australian Roll-Up Workshop
Lauren Stump, Advanced Soft Glass Sculpture Workshop

2008
Travis Tyler Boro Advanced Pattern workshop
Emilio Santini Goblet workshop

2005
Fine Arts Sculpture Department, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
Iron Pour Workshop

1997-2002
Studio Assistant to Richard Jolley
Richard Jolley, Inc.
Knoxville, TN

1992-1997
Bachelors of Fine Arts, Glassblowing/Sculpture
Georgia Southwestern State University, Americus, GA

AWARDS
Best of Show:
2011, 2008 - MeccaFest, Carrollton, GA
2008, 2006, 2005, 1997 - Tifton Love Affair Juried exhibition, Tifton, GA
1999, 1995 - Festival on the Square Juried Art Exhibition, Moultrie, GA
1996, 1994 - Columbus Artists Guild Art Exhibition, Columbus, GA

First Place:
2009, 2007 - Tifton Love Affair Juried Exhibition, Tifton, GA

Award Of Excellence:
2010 - 23rd National Juried Art Exhibition; Mable House Arts Center, Mableton, Ga

PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
Jackson County Public Library, Sylva, NC
Raleigh Marriott City Center, Raleigh, NC
Four Seasons Hotel, Atlanta, GA
Tifton Museum of Arts and Heritage, Tifton, GA
Wiregrass Museum of Art, Dothan, AL
Albany Museum of Art, Albany, GA
Tennessee State Museum, Nashville, TN

Main Navigation