"My family has Libyan ancestors who owned a furnace in Venice in the early 1900s. I love collecting rare books that highlight ancient crafting techniques.”
Dana Arbib is a New York-based designer whose work moves between design, craft and fine art. Although she has worked across different areas of design throughout her career, her focus on glass began in 2020, when a friendship with a Venetian furnace owner led her to discover a deeper personal connection to the craft.
Working closely with skilled artisans, Arbib is interested in slow, hands-on processes and the knowledge passed down through generations. She approaches traditional techniques through research and experimentation, studying their historical contexts while finding new ways to reinterpret them.
Her sculptural glass pieces are characterised by generous proportions and playful details, from rounded globules to oversized handles and elaborate curves. Drawing on the heritage of Italian glassmaking, particularly the work of makers such as Venini and Barovier & Toso, Arbib combines an old-world sensibility with a distinctly contemporary approach.
The process of working with Venetian glassblowers is central to her practice. Rather than simply reproducing established techniques, she has developed a collaborative language with the artisans, pushing ancient methods in new directions. The resulting works reflect her interest in material, craftsmanship and cultural heritage, while remaining closely connected to her own perspective and experience.