Stefano Bullo

Contemporary stained glass

• Stefano is the only maker of artistic stained glass left in Murano
• He is a talented painter and tireless experimenter
• He restores old windows and creates his own designs

Stefano Bullo is the only maker of artistic stained glass left in Murano but he is not a nostalgic old-style artisan. His decision to take over the family workshop in 2014 came after his art studies, and his story is not so much a traditional one, but rather the path of an artisan and artist looking for his personal style with an open mind. Stefano is a painter and an experimenter, open to innovative technology and collaborations that help him to improve his techniques and express his own style. He continues the family tradition of restoring antique glass windows – including some of the most prestigious Venetian monuments and churches – and creates new, resolutely contemporary designs and projects, such as his surprising vases made of glass fabric.

Interview

©Stefano Bullo

©Linda Squizzato

Who did you learn your craft from?

I was born in Murano and my parents had a workshop of artistic stained glass, so I started learning the craft when I was a child but I studied as a painter. I took over the family workshop in 2014 and since then, my passion for my craft has grown day by day.

What do you like most of your craft?

If you are born in Murano, you know that there are many different crafts and techniques to master before being able to express your full potential with glass. I like learning to master new materials and new techniques because every additional skill helps me to reach my expressive freedom.

Is there room for experimentation in such a traditional craft?

Abolutely yes. I like testing new solutions, implementing new techniques, collaborating with other artisans or designers to investigate the contemporary potential of artistic stained glass. I feel that I am still at the beginning of my professional and artistic path.

Do you have an example of your experimentations?

Together with designer Matteo Silverio we created a collection of vases made of an innovative glass fabric composed of glass modules. The award-winning project mixes glassmaking, 3D printing and parametric design to create objects able to change shape.

Stefano Bullo is an expert artisan: he began his career in 2012

Works

©Stefano Bullo

©Stefano Bullo

©Stefano Bullo

©Stefano Bullo & Matteo Silverio

©Stefano Bullo

Where