František Jungvirt

Bridging old and new

• Initially František intended to be a trumpet player
• He works with famous brands including Moser and Preciosa
• His father was a carpenter, his grandfather a glassworker

The stimulating flood of colours, motifs and techniques in František Jungvirt's work leaves viewers astonished; every piece is a demonstration of his singular creative power, which draws on both tradition and innovation. "I usually return to the most typical legacy of Czech glassmaking, filling it with new impulses. I try to push the technical and visual limits of the field," he says. Handcrafted paintings of folklore and natural motifs take turns with robotic airbrushing, resulting in a diverse range of work. Some pieces seem to delight in common, almost kitsch elements, others appear to break the rules. All of it is soaked in humility, something František learned from his favourite glassmaker, his grandfather.

Interview

©Katarina Kinga Kralova

©Martin Prokeš

You are a glass painter, but you also cut glass?

Yes, I learned the basics at high school, and my grandfather was a glassworker who showed me a lot of things. So sometimes I employ these methods too. But I was always more attracted to creative work – that's why I chose glass painting, not glassmaking.

You design your own objects?

Indeed. Yet my craft specialisation is classic or experimental painting and enamelling. I make a point of being precise and detailed in my handcrafted work. That led me to develop special paints which don't have to be fired in a kiln and can be fluorescent.

What does tradition mean to you?

I respect and use traditional methods, trying to preserve them and shift them into the present day. I combine them with modern technologies too; I may use patterns from my grandmother's porcelain but in bold colours, or spray trickles of paint on cut lead glass.

How important is your grandfather's legacy?

I blew my first piece with my grandfather. For two years, I had a workshop at his home. He used to advise and supervise me while telling me stories about various glassworks. He taught me humility and patience.

František Jungvirt is a master artisan: he began his career in 2011 and he started teaching in 2016

Works

©Jakub Delibalta and František Svatoš

©Anna Pleslová

©Katarína Hudačinová

©Katarína Hudačinová

©Katarína Hudačinová

Where