Dailey is renowned for his keen observation, sense of humor, and wit. In his quest to comment on human nature and society, he deftly captures and conveys the essence of various moods and actions. He makes no attempt at realism and renders figures in a way that reveals their emotions and thoughts. With a unique graphic sensibility and Art Deco quality, Dailey creates classic symbols representing a type of person or expressing an essential quality of character.

Dan Dailey (American b. 1947)
Conformity from the series Scenes, 2011
Blown and hot worked glass, Vitrolite (industrial colored glass), metal
Lent by the artist
Photography by Bill Truslow
© Dan Dailey

The Chrysler’s exhibition will span Dailey’s forty-year career and include blown and hot-worked glass vases and sculpture; glass cane murals; and wall reliefs made from Vitrolite, industrial colored glass that was only made between 1900–1947. Original drawings will also be on view, demonstrating the embedded nature of drawing in Dailey’s working process. Dailey is guided by the properties of liquid glass in his approach to traditional artistic formats like vases, busts, and landscape painting. He articulates his perceptions and thoughts about humanity through the medium of glass, pushing the material to new frontiers in order to tell stories about human nature.

Dan Dailey (American b. 1947)
Freaked Out and Pissed Off from the series Vitrolite Mural, 2012
Vitrolite (industrial colored glass), plate glass, enamel, metal
Lent by the artist
Photography by Bill Truslow
© Dan Dailey