Bohumil Eliáš Jr.

Glass sculptor | Kosoř, Czech Republic

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A legacy of glass art

Bohumil learned the art of traditional glass sculpting from his father
He attended Central Europe’s oldest glassmaking school
He is mainly inspired by nature and architechture

Bohumil Eliáš Jr. grew up surrounded by paintings and sculptures because of his artistic lineage – his father Bohumil Eliáš is a also an artist. His journey into art began at his father’s studio when he was 13. “My father was my first teacher. He taught me classical pencil drawing, painting and watercolour, using what he called a family secret recipe.” Bohumil recalls. While working on large pieces, his father would ask him to paint smaller glass items with flowers and arabesque motifs using techniques learned from old masters at the Applied Arts for Glassmaking in Železný Brod. At 14 years old, Bohumil attended the High School of Applied Arts for Glassmaking in Kamenický Šenov, Central Europe’s oldest glassmaking school, where he majored in glass painting. He trained with sculptor Vaclav Tůma for a year before pursuing Figural Sculpture at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague under Professor Jan Hendrych. Bohumil hopes to fulfil his father’s dream of carrying on the family’s artistic tradition.

Interview

©Bohumil Eliáš

How would you describe your art?: I make classical sculptures intertwined with painting and glassmaking techniques, so my work is mostly abstract. What I do is glass art combined with painting in sculpture form. I enjoy interpreting the same design using two different techniques, 2D painting and 3D sculpture.
What inspires your works thematically and aesthetically?: Inspiration is all around – nature and architecture are my main influences. I find meaning in bridges as symbols of continuation and crossing. Windows are meaningful too, especially the stunning sizes and colours of cathedral windows, as they have always played an important role in architecture.
What is a significant project of yours?: In 2024, I created a a stained glass window for a former brewery in the Renaissance palace of Anna of Rogendorf in Český Krumlov. I chose a light and quiet design for the window, which weighs 650kg and is made of 330 layers of glass. I collaborated with an architect on this project, which made me acutely aware of the importance of respecting old architecture.
What advice would you give to aspiring artists from artistic lineages?: Growing up in a family of artists inspires and influences you. I still incorporate horizontally laid glass in my works, a technique my father developed. There is also the expectation to be as good as they are or even better, so you cannot rest on your laurels. It is important to forge your own path, to work very hard and push art further.

Bohumil Eliáš Jr. is an expert artisan: he began his career in 2007