Italian master glassblower Lino Tagliapietra (third from left) meets the public during an exhibition of his works at the Liuli China Museum in Shanghai on Aug 30. It is the artist's first solo show in China. [Photo by Fang Zhe/Xinhua]

Lino Tagliapietra, an Italian master glassblower, opened a solo exhibition at the Liuli China Museum in Shanghai on Aug 30.

The great artist's first show in China, the exhibition displays 48 excellent works created in the past 20 years.

The Murano maestro, who regards glass art as a major part of his life, has experienced widespread international fame and was even recognized as a modern renaissance master of Italian glass art.

Tagliapietra (third from right) introduces a work called Angel Tear to visitors to the museum. His works feature wide centers and narrow bottoms, which have become notable characteristics of the artist's work. [Photo by Fang Zhe/Xinhua]

Tagliapietra combines techniques that are rooted in the thousand-year-old Venetian glassmaking tradition with fresh and creative perspectives, presenting an honored discipline of unabashed beauty and exquisite craftsmanship.

Aside from devoting himself to developing new techniques in glass artistry, the maestro has always been keen on imparting knowledge to his students and colleagues, and believes that keeping tradition and history alive is hugely important.

Tagliapietra explains Endeavor, an armada of 35 boats suspended from the ceiling. [Photo by Fang Zhe/Xinhua]