László Lukácsi

Nature is the greatest sculptor

• László was the first to use dichroich glass in Hungary
• In his glasswork, he engages the viewer in an intense interaction
• He has won several international awards and exhibited worldwide

László Lukácsi was introduced to the mysteries of glassmaking by his father when he was a pre-teen. Fascinated by the atmosphere of the glassmaking workshop, he soon decided that he wanted to work with glass. His sculptures – in various shades and colours – are made by coldworking glass and mirrors, using the technique known as laminated glass. The monotonous and rigorous process of polishing requires long weeks of solitary handicraft. The artist pushes the physical boundaries of glass as he creates soft, organic forms inspired by nature from a hard, cold and sharp material, thereby creating a magical inner world. Lukácsi graduated from the University of Applied Arts (now MOME) in 1985. Since then, he has won two awards in Japan: the Gold Prize and Fujita Prize at the Kanazawa Exhibition of Glass, as well as the Jury and Visitors Awards of the Coburg International Glass Exhibition. He has participated in nearly 200 group exhibitions. His works are present in many international collections across the globe.

Interview

© Mihály Kakas

© Liza Lukácsi

Why did you choose this craft?

I felt more fulfilled doing sculptural work and using coldworking techniques. My personality suits this approach, as I’m a meticulous, patient and rigorous man. Moreover, I received positive feedback in this field, I started to win awards all over the world and I was approached by international gallerists and museum curators.

How do tradition and innovation meet in your glass works?

Tradition is present through the great amount of work I invest in each piece. I don’t mind devoting a lot of time to creating an object. As for innovation, it appears through the experimentation with 21st century materials, for instance, in 2011, I was the first to use dichroich glass in Hungary.

How do you know that your object is well made?

When a gallerist or a collector looking at my works exclaims, wow! When people keep moving around the work to discover the changing light and colour effects, and even want to touch it to understand the secret.

What is the advice you would give to young artisans wishing to follow the same path?

To embark on this career path only if their personality is suited to this consistent, painstakingly meticulous and extremely monotonous work. This type of work requires obsessive concentration and withdrawal from life. One wrong move can ruin weeks of work.

László Lukácsi is an : he began his career in 1988

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