Lino Tagliapietra has had a lasting impact on American studio glassblowing. Born on the island of Murano, he worked as an assistant and then as an apprentice in the island's glass factories, where he earned the title of maestro at the age of 21. In 1979, he traveled for the first time to the United States to teach at the Pilchuck Glass School. This was the beginning of an international career and collaborations with noted European and American artists working in glass. After working in the United States and abroad for 10 years, Tagliapietra made the difficult decision to change his artistic focus from design to the production of unique work. Rethinking his craft, he emerged in the 1990s as an influential artist. In recent years, Tagliapietra has divided his studio time between Seattle and Murano. Hopi is inspired by the indigenous art of the American Southwest. Tagliapietra believes that Native American art has made an important and unique contribution to American culture. Hopi's bold and contrasting colors, broad-shouldered forms, and intricate surface patterns recall the Native American ceramics, basketry, and textiles that Tagliapietra admires.