Biography

In last autumn’s exhibition in Kyoto 2018, Laura’s work was displayed together with kimonos and obi sashes in a traditional Japanese building, where it harmonized beautifully with the tatami matsand  painted folding screens.  

Despite being glass, the light that passes through it is softened, as if it had passed through shōji screens. 

Her aesthetics are more Japanese than the Japanese themselves, her works unassuming and subtle.

They allow us to realize that the moon seen from Venice and the moon seen from Kyoto are one and the same. 

NY Ippodo Director, Shoko Aono

 

1955 Born as the granddaughter of Benini, the master of glass, in Murano, Venice, Italy

1977 Graduated from School of Visual Arts in New York

1977-1985 Worked as a designer for a jewelry production company in Murano, Venice

1985 Held solo exhibitions in various parts of Europe

2005 Designed bottles for Japanese perfume maker KENZO

2014 Solo exhibition at Ginza Ippodo. It became a topic in the homage "Tokyo-ga" of movie director Yasujiro Ozu

Works
  • Laura de Santillana, Untitled (CRI AU), 2002
    Laura de Santillana
    Untitled (CRI AU), 2002
    Glass
    H16 ¼ x W14 x D2 in,
    H41 x W35 x D5 cm
  • Laura de Santillana, Untitled (Titan Bronze), 2009
    Laura de Santillana
    Untitled (Titan Bronze), 2009
    Bronze
    H17 ¾ x W17 ¾ x D2 in,
    H45 x W45 x D5 cm
  • Laura de Santillana, MIZUSASHI BLUEGREEN TWOTIMES(水指)蓋:西端良雄, 2015
    Laura de Santillana
    MIZUSASHI BLUEGREEN TWOTIMES(水指)蓋:西端良雄, 2015
    Glass
    H9 5/8 x W7 1/8 x D7 1/8 in
    H24.4 x W18 x D18 cm
  • Laura de Santillana, MIZUSASHI CLEAR WITH SNOW, 2015
    Laura de Santillana
    MIZUSASHI CLEAR WITH SNOW, 2015
    Glass
    H10 x W7 1/8 x D7 1/8 in
    H25.4 x W18 x D18 cm
  • Laura de Santillana, MIZUSASHI GREEN, 2015
    Laura de Santillana
    MIZUSASHI GREEN, 2015
    Glass
    H8 7/8 x W9 1/8 x D9 1/8 in
    H22.4 x W23 x D23 cm
  • Laura de Santillana, MIZUSASHI LIGHTER BLUEGREEN (水指)蓋:西端良雄, 2015
    Laura de Santillana
    MIZUSASHI LIGHTER BLUEGREEN (水指)蓋:西端良雄, 2015
    Glass
    H8 3/4 x W7 5/8 x D7 5/8 in
    H22.2 x W19.4 x D19.4 cm
  • Laura de Santillana, MIZUSASHI SKYBLUE 3SILVER, 2015
    Laura de Santillana
    MIZUSASHI SKYBLUE 3SILVER, 2015
    Glass
    H8 5/8 x W7 3/4 x D7 3/4 in
    H21.8 x W19.6 x D19.6 cm
  • Laura de Santillana, MIZUSASHI SKYBLUE 4 SILVER , 2015
    Laura de Santillana
    MIZUSASHI SKYBLUE 4 SILVER , 2015
    Glass
    H6 3/4 x W8 3/8 x D8 3/8 in
    H17 x W21.4 x D21.4 cm
  • Laura de Santillana, CHAIRE DARK PLUM LINES, 2015
    Laura de Santillana
    CHAIRE DARK PLUM LINES, 2015
    Glass
    H4 1/2 x W2 7/8 x D2 7/8 in
    H11.4 x W7.2 x D7.2 cm
  • Laura de Santillana, CHAIRE ROUGH BLACK HORIZONTAL, 2015
    Laura de Santillana
    CHAIRE ROUGH BLACK HORIZONTAL, 2015
    Glass
    H6 1/8 x W2 1/4 x D2 1/4 in
    H15.4 x W5.8 x D5.8 cm
  • Laura de Santillana, CHAIRE SILVER LEAF, 2015
    Laura de Santillana
    CHAIRE SILVER LEAF, 2015
    Glass
    H4 1/2 x W2 7/8 x D2 7/8 in
    H11.4 x W7.2 x D7.2 cm
  • Laura de Santillana, CHAIRE WHITE GOLD LINES, 2015
    Laura de Santillana
    CHAIRE WHITE GOLD LINES, 2015
    Glass
    H4 1/2 x W2 7/8 x D2 7/8 in
    H11.4 x W7.2 x D7.2 cm
Video