Vladimir Klein
A leading Czech glass artist and educator whose professional career is closely linked to prestigious institutions in Kamenický Šenov and Toyama, Japan, presents the pinnacle of glass sculpture in his studio. The author specializes in a unique technique of cold glass processing, using a chisel and hammer to carve monumental works from large glass blocks, combining craftsmanship with a profound artistic message.
The artist's life journey, shaped by his studies with Prof. Stanislav Libenský and his long tenure as head of a glassmaking school, is interwoven with significant milestones, from leading design at Crystalex to teaching on four continents. His work, also known abroad under the Libera brand, has won numerous prestigious international awards and has become part of the permanent collections of important museums in the USA, Japan, China, and Switzerland. This rich international experience is reflected in every object that is created in the silence of the studio as a dialogue between the artist and the solid material of glass.
A visit to the glass workshop and adjacent gallery offers a rare opportunity to look over the master's shoulder and understand the process of "sculpting" glass, which is essentially similar to stone carving. Those interested can try out this unusual technique for themselves, browse through extensive documentation from exhibitions, or purchase a signed original, whether in the form of functional design or free sculpture. The studio also offers custom work, which allows visitors seeking lasting value imprinted in a noble material to have their specific wishes fulfilled.
