Thai, David

David Thai is a Chinese Canadian Glass Artist who emigrated from Vietnam in 1985. He completed his business degree at Ryerson University and went on to pursue Glassblowing at Sheridan College, where he graduated in 2002.

Upon graduating, David was accepted as a full-time Resident of Harbourfront Centre. There, he has been both a Resident and an Instructor of Glassblowing.
During this time he has exhibited his work across Canada and in the United States. After three years at Harbourfront Centre, David moved to the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga. In 2008, David co-founded the Kingston Glass Studio & Gallery, and in 2010 he co-founded Studio One: Contemporary Glass in Georgetown.

Currently, David is the owner of Oakville Glass Studio & Gallery, located in Oakville, ON, where he creates his current glassworks.

“Glass is the medium that best reflects my innermost feelings. When approaching glass in its fluid state, I am deeply moved by the metamorphosis from a molten state to the solidified shape of my design. As the Italian glass artist Livio Seguso said, glass is ‘a material that seems to be born out of the sea to live in the air shaped by fire; it fascinates and ignites the imagination.’

One unique feature of my work is the use of Japanese silver foil on the surface of the blown glass vessels. The Signature Bowl is inspired by the burl bowls. Whether I am creating a blown glass vessel or a piece of glass sculpture, my focus is on both the creation of a timeless design with a contemporary style and a high level of technical skill. I aim toward creating objects that beautify their surroundings.”