Heart of Glass
Bali Glass Astistry by Seiki Torige. Seiki Torige is smiling; he smiles a lot, maintaining that it is an essential spark to his creativity. This Japanese glass master’s hand had blown glass vases, statues, and gargantuan sculptures – some of which have weighed in excess of 1000 kilos and measured up to 40 metres in length – are coveted by collectors worldwide.
A glass-lined pathway leads to Seiki’s beachside home and studio in Gianyar Regency on the southeast coast of Bali. Ice-like pedestals, swords, a desk and chair, and a life-size go-cart, all fashioned in his trademark colour of aqua green, are just a few of the astonishing solid glass sculptures that just happen to be dotted around his garden. Dogs and cats – the living, breathing, furry variety – are equally at home here. Seiki explains, “I need to be happy in order to feel inspired, so I therefore surround myself with the people, the animals and the things that I love.” He has seventeen dogs and four cats, and when he feels like sharing a bottle or two of sake with his friends, there is certainly no shortage of handmade glass drinking vessels in his kitchen!
