Michael Mortara (Born 1960) American, Hawaiian Swirling Raspberry Art Glass Bowl. Made in conjunction with his wife Misato. Gorgeous red, yellow, brown, orange, and pink swirls and striations. Signed along bottom edge of foot. 

Size: 16 x 16 x 6 in. 

Michael James Mortara was born in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1960. He was first introduced to glass blowing as a student in high school, and enrolled at the University of Hawaii in 1978 to focus on architecture. However, a chance meeting with glass artist Misato Mochizuki led him to join the glass department at Punahou School as a technical assistant in 1980, and he wound up pursuing a minor in Fine Art because of it. After his marriage to Misato he continued to focus on architecture while she worked as a freelance glassmaker for several local studios. In the early 1990s they decided to join forces and focus on glass art together, and they designed and built their new home and glass studio on the upper slopes of Kilauea Volcano, 2400 Fahrenheit, which was opened in 1998. The husband and wife team continue working together on a commission basis to this day, with their highly sought pieces in private collections around the world as well as permanent exhibits at the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, The Contemporary Museum of Honolulu, The Four Seasons Hotel, Hilton Hotels, and the National Park Service on the Big Island.