Katarína Pozorová

Glass sculptor

©Marek Vaneš

©Katarina Pozorova

©Jana Hojstričová

Unfolding a fascinating play of light

Katarína approaches glass as a living material, sensitive to any change
She uses concrete as a contrasting element to glass
She loves the adrenaline and adventure inherent to her craft

With the motto “the journey is the destination,” Katarína Pozorová embraces challenges, finds meaning, and connects insights from different fields. After dipping her toes into the world of glass during her studies at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava, she soon understood that her artistic expression was linked to her craft skills. Simply drawing her vision down on paper was not enough. The urge to discover the possibilities of the 3D world and feel the material in her hands, to experiment and push its boundaries, was too great. One apprenticeship with renowned masters at the epicentres of glass craftsmanship in the Czech Republic led to another. It was the technology of glass casting that touched Katarína's soul and she has worked with it ever since in both design and free art, shaping utilitarian objects that can also function as independent artworks.

Interview

©Katarina Pozorova

©Katarina Pozorova

How does your creativity manifest into tangible expression?: Glass is a beautiful and fascinating material in itself. I try to 'hurt' it as little as possible with my intervention. I just create an object by defining a simple geometric shape. Glass needs light to bring out its uniqueness. Thus, I like to try its different positions, where neither function nor form spoil its beauty.
How is your initial vision transformed in the creative process?: Sometimes I do not have a precise idea and I let myself be guided by the material or the workflow itself. I enjoy making changes, adapting and struggling with the glass. It is like a miracle when, after hours of grinding, at the last stage, the optical properties of the glass begin to show, and a mesmerising play of light and shadow is revealed.
What opposing forces are present in your work?: Tradition is expressed by traditional glass techniques and innovation by combining with other materials, mostly concrete. They interact, complement or limit each other, creating tension. It is a confrontation of fragility and strength, light and darkness. I leave it up to the viewer to observe these phenomena and reflect on the nature and essence of the matter.
What do you believe sets your creations apart?: It might be hand grinding the already fused glass. It is a very tedious technique using either glass on glass or glass on metal with the addition of abrasives. Then it is not polished to a full shine, but only hand polished with a brush and pumice powder. The result is a fine matte surface that lights up the glass, giving it a mysterious fullness.

Katarína Pozorová is a rising star: she began her career in 2020