London

Vlastimil Beránek

Glass sculptor | Šluknov, Czech Republic

Seeing the world through glass

Vlastimil creates minimalist glass sculptures
He uses the mould melting technique
He is from a renowned family of glassmakers

Vlastimil Beránek comes from a well known family of glassmakers which has been connected to the Škrdlovice Glassworks in the Bohemian-Moravian highlands since 1941. When the Communist regime expropriated the glassworks, the Beránek family became employees there. In 1992 the glassworks returned to the family and Vlastimil Beránek became the owner. The production of handmade, colourful bowls, vases and ashtrays continued for the next 16 years, when the glassworks closed. By that time Vlastimil Beránek had become highly skilled in mould melting, and today he develops this technique in cooperation with the Crystal Caviar company.

Interview

©Vlastimil Beránek

What was your first glass sculpture?: The very first sculpture I designed used mould melting technology, despite the fact that due to my family background it would have been more natural to work with hot shaped glass. At that time, I was a student in the glass department under Professor Libenský at AAAD in Prague.
What did you gain by studying with Professor Libenský?: We gained invaluable experience in mould melting. Every time I remember Professor Libenský, I feel happy. We loved him because he was a free-spirited person and that was contagious. He showed us how to see the world with different eyes.
What inspires your work?: Most of my inspirations come from the sea. The deep ocean is covered with secrets, and it's also in constant movement, something I try to express in my pieces. Another element that fascinates me is fire. When you light a match and then extinguish it, a bit of smoke lingers – a magic moment.
Why do you collaborate with Crystal Caviar?: Crystal Caviar has state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities for melted glass sculptures. It is hugely satisfying when you manage to melt a sculpture that's 2m30 high and weighs 300kg, with flawless results.

Vlastimil Beránek is an expert artisan: he began his career in 1989