Thomas Medicus

Stained glass maker

©Marvin Smith

©Myriam Kraml

The glass philosopher

Thomas paints fragmented pictures on glass cubes
He assembles these cubes into geometric artworks
He is a traditional glazier and restorer

Thomas Medicus trained as a master glazier in Austria’s most famous school for glassmaking, Glasfachschule Kramsach. He then decided to take two parallel paths in his professional life: being a traditional glazier specialised in restoring historic lead glazing, as well as being an independent artist. He now creates unique glass sculptures consisting of various glass fragments. These sculptures seem to convey a different shape depending on what angle they are viewed from. The structures seem to vanish and then merge together again, and the object appears amorphous, without a determined surface.

Interview

©Alexander Kopp

©Marvin Smith

What is the fascination of glass?: Glass or any transparent material only emerges once touched by the breaking light. They do not have a determined surface. I am fascinated by that object-like but still disembodied state.
Tradition and innovation – how do these combine in your work?: On the one hand, I am living in two worlds: the world of traditional lead glazing, where technical precision is pivotal, and the much more innovative and free artist’s world. But even there I am combining tradition and innovation as I am using traditional techniques as well as digital technology.
How important is international exchange for a craftsman and artist?: In our digital world, international interaction is a matter of course for young professionals. As my traditional lead glazing work is often stationary and sedentary, I am very happy that my artworks succeed internationally. I can export my work to the US, exhibit in Bordeaux and realise a sculptural order for Expo 2020 in Dubai.
You love to think about your work philosophically – in what way?: My objects arise in my head. After thinking about their relevance for quite a long period, they find their way into a computer file called 'current projects'. At some point I release some of them from this 'binary captivity' and give them material life by creating a physical object.

Thomas Medicus is an expert artisan: he began his career in 2014 and he started teaching in 2019