vase

In the 1960s and 1970s, studio glass was a phenomenon in Europe as well as in the United States. In Czechoslovakia, artists had studios inside some of the larger glass factories, where they were encouraged to make experimental work. The abstract decoration of this rare vessel, inspired by contemporary painting, was applied by the artist, who also designed the form. This piece documents how artists working in glass were able to explore abstraction during a time of political repression in the arts. It is inspired by Czech Informel painting and matches a drawing in the Rakow Library’s collection.