Full of surprises
- Remigijus has worked with glass for over 40 years
- He mixes glass working with listening to jazz
- He collaborates with fellow glass artists
Remigijus Kriukas is one of the most renowned Lithuanian glass artists, working in this field since 1985. He graduated from the State Art Institute of Lithuania (now the Vilnius Academy of Arts, Kaunas Faculty), part of the first intake of future glass artists. Since then, glass has become a way of life for him. In 2000, Kriukas founded a glass studio in Panevėžys, where all his creative work takes place, where his workshops are held and where glass artists from other countries gather biannually to blow glass to the accompanying sound of jazz. Remigijus’ works have won many international awards. He regularly participates in international symposia and exchanges of experiences and ideas. His glass sculptures are technically complex, decorative yet at the same time powerful.
Interview
- How did you start working with glass?
- I wanted to study sculpture, but at the time the competition for enrolling on the course was huge. Then, for the first time, an intake of glass artists was announced at the Kaunas Faculty of Vilnius Academy of Arts. I was advised to take the glassblowing course, to learn to make sculptures from glass.
- What fascinates you most about working with glass?
- I’ve learned a great deal about glass over the years, but there is still so much I don’t know. It’s a material that has captivated me, that I understand very well and that never ceases to surprise me.
- What inspires you to create?
- I am inspired by many things: nature, travel, adventures and meeting interesting people. Distinctive facial features of the people I meet, music and socialising are all inspiring. Sometimes inspiration can come completely unexpected.
- When do you consider a piece well made?
- The entire creative process happens in my mind, I make very few sketches. Glass is a material that flows. I have an idea in mind and I try to implement it, but I allow myself to improvise in the process. The most important thing is that I feel satisfied with my work.
Remigijus Kriukas is a master artisan: he began his career in 1980 and he started teaching in 1996
Works
Where
Remigijus Kriukas
