Glass artist José Chardiet was born in Havana in1956. At the age of four, his family emigrated from Cuba to the United States, settling in New Haven, Connecticut. Chardiet was introduced to glass as an art form while at Southern Connecticut State University, where he received his B.A. in 1980. He went on to continue his glass studies at Kent State University, where he earned his M.F.A. in 1983. Since that time José has been on the faculty of Pilchuck, Penland and Haystack Mountain schools as well as the University of Illinois where he was a Professor of Art from 1991 – 2000.

“Little 24K” is an example of a teapot shaped vessel in which Chardiet combines various techniques including hot sculpting, cold work and electroplating to accomplish his vision. These pieces have a captivating combination of elaborate, old-world style and a touch of contemporary humor, expressed by Chardiet’s unexpected use of the ordinary, everyday object as art form.