JOSEF MAREK

Marek's work is a world of many sensations and contrasts. Most of his one-of-a-kind glass sculptures are based on seemingly simple geometry, yet they present mind-binding experiences when the viewer tries to understand how the various planes interact, how the hue varies from very deep to almost clear in a single object, or even how the objects can possibly stand. The circles, ovals, pyramids and rectangles distort and morph in front of one’s eyes. The openings, passages, negative spaces, pregnant with illusionary allusions, hold and transform light, take the viewer into the center and through the sculpture.

Marek is on top of his technique thanks to his extensive training in many glass working processes and his considerable experience in re-melting glass in molds, glass cutting, polishing and using the almost forgotten technique of glue-chipping, or tarnishing, adding to the overall effect. But the techniques are not what interests him most. Through his fastidious design practice and the inherently magical properties of glass, Marek yearns to give us a unique experience, perhaps even a transcendental encounter with the physical world.

Be sure to read Josef Marek's Interview by Sculpturesite's Brigitte Micmacker.

The sculptor Josef Marek (b. 1963) shares his time between the Czech Republic and Cyprus. He studied at the Secondary School of Applied Arts for glass in Kamenicky Senov (1978-1982) in the former Czechoslovakia. After graduating, he became a glass cutter at Crystalex EX BOR, a nationalised corporation at that time. He was a teacher in the local glass technical school (1986-1989) for three years, then moved to Prague and became designer and glass cutter for a year in the  Centre of Applied Arts. After the 1989 "Velvet Revolution" in the Czech Republic, admission to a school was no longer decided based on political views but on the merits for creative work, and Marek was accepted at the University of Fine Arts and Architecture. There, he studied under professors Ak.Mal. Vladimir Kopecky and Ak Soch. Marian Karel.

After completing graduate studies (1997-2000), Marek worked as a visiting professor at Japan's Toyama Institute of Glass ART, where he continued with the interest in his earlier work, focusing on re-melting glass in moulds, cutting, polishing, and combining glass with stone. A new technique for him was working with polished stainless steel and copper plates, which he combined with glass. Since returning to the Czech Republic, Marek has created more compelling and visually stimulating works influenced by the culture and aesthetics of the land of the rising sun. He often combines glass with contrasting materials, creating an illusionary space consisting of transparent and opaque masses, maximising contrasts that captivate the viewer. However, his work is dominated by sculptures made only of glass, where he seeks maximum simplicity but enriches the work with details on the surface and inside the mass. He also uses glass techniques such as structural etching and the almost forgotten glue-chipping surface, or tarnishing.                                                                                           Mr.Langhamer

Marek has participated in many group exhibitions in Europe and overseas. He has had several solo exhibitions in Japan, Paris, Sweden, The Netherlands, and Germany. The 2021 online exhibition "Infinity Trapped" with Sculpturesite Gallery is his first with a predominently American gallery.

Solo Exhibitions
2021 "Josef Marek: Infinity Trapped - Glass Sculptures", online, Sculpturesite Gallery, USA
2018 - 2021 Permanent exposition of recent works, studio gallery - Jablonné v Podještedí  CR - on going
2017 Polarized unity,galerie Stoelting,Hamburg/with Malvina Middleton/
2016 "Josef Marek: glass inner space, GLD Frýdek
2015 “Josef Marek: Glass Sculptures,” Cvikov Cultural Center Gallery, Cvikov, Czech Republic
2014 “Josef Marek: Illusive Space,” Stoelting Gallery, Hamburg, Germany
2014 “Josef Marek: Glass Sculptures,” Broft Gallery, Leerdam, Netherlands
2013 “Josef Marek: Glass Sculptures,” Broft Gallery, Den Haag, Netherlands
2013 “Josef Marek: Glass Space,” Galerie Minerva, Malmo, Sweden
2010 “Josef Marek: Sculptures,” Galerie Frank Picon, Paris, France
2003 “Josef Marek: Sklenené Plastiky," Galerie Languv dum, Frýdek, Czech Republic
2002 “Give and Take,” The Studio Glass Gallery, London, UK
1999 “Josef Marek: Glass Sculptures,” Kaki Gallery, Toyama, Japan

Selected Group Exhibitions
2021, Habatat invitational 49  USA
2019, Habatat invitational 48  USA
2017 CGS 20 Jubileum show, Etienne Gallery, Oisterwijk,  NL
2016-2017 "In the Gallery," Sculpturesite Gallery, Glen Ellen, CA
2016 Connections - The Scottish Gallery, Edingburgh, Scotland, UK
2016 Ovengevormed glass, Zaandvort Museum, NL
2016 Masters of form, Stoelting Gallery, Hamburg, Germany
2015 “Meister der Moderne,” International Trade Fair, Munich, Germany
2012 “Lei See,” Koru Contemporary Art Gallery, Aberdeen, Hong Kong
2009 “Connections: Contemporary European Glass Sculpture,” Czech Glass School, Kamenicky Senov, Czech Republic
2008 “Drei Generationen,” Glasgalerie Hittfeld, Hamburg, Germany
2008 “Reflections on Contemporary Glass,” Museum of Art, Santa Fe, NM
2007 SOFA, Chicago, IL
2006 SOFA, Chicago, IL
2006 “Meister der Moderne,” International Trade Fair, Munich, Germany
2004/05 “V zajetí svetla a prostoru,” Prague, Czech Republic / Aichi, Japan Expo
2002 “Stone and Glass,” Czech Embassy, Tokyo, Japan
2000 “Japanese Connections,” The Studio Glass Gallery, London, UK
1999 2nd Contemporary Glass Exhibition, Satsuma, Japan
1998 Venezia Aperto Vetro 98, Venice, Italy
1998 Museum of Modern Art, Takaoka, Japan
1998 Enomoto Gallery, Osaka, Japan
1998 Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum, Seto, Japan
1998 DAY.I.Can, Toyama, Japan
1996 Národní technické muzeum, Prague, Czech Republic
1995-1996 Galerie Languv Dum, Frýdek, Czech Republic
1994-1996 Rob Van Den Doel Gallery, The Netherlands
1995 Umelecko-prumyslové Muzeum, Prague, Czech Republic
1993 Hrad Sovinec, Czech Republic
1991 Water Reservoir, Barcelona, Spain
1991 Galerie Václava Špály, Prague, Czech Republic

Public Collections
Toyama Museum of Glass, Japan
Glasmuseum, Ernsting Stifftung, Coesfeld, Germany
Toyama swimming pool, Japan

Selected Competitions and Awards
2017 Fusion Art -artist spotlight  international
2017 Meneghetti International Art Prize’17,Italy
2008 2nd Place, Art Buzz collection book
2005 New Glass Review Competition, Corning, USA (also 1992, 1997-2000)
1995 Price of Daniel Swarowski
3rd Place, Nicosia Conference Center Art Competition

Work Experience
1997-2000 Visiting Professor, Toyama City Institute of Glass Art, Japan
1989-1990 Designer and Director of Art Glass Experimental Workshop, Umelecká remesla, Prague, Czech Republic
1986-1989 Arts and Crafts Teacher, SOÚ sklárské, Kamenický Šenov, Czech Republic
1982-1986 Glass Worker, Crystalex, Nový Bor, Czech Republic

Education
1994-1995 Alfred University, New York, NY
1990-1996 University of Fine Arts and Architecture, Glass in Architecture, Prague, Czech Republic
1978-1982 Secondary School of Glass Art, Kamenicky Senov, Czech Republic

Simplicity, clarity and purity of ideas , intentions or actions...                                                                                                            Josef Marek