Trophy Shaped Hand-blown Glass Vase
by Szkło Studio PL

Szkło [Polish: glass, pronounced /shkwo/] are functional glass sculptures and collectible design objects, hand-blown by Aleksandra Zawistowska with a team of craftsmen. Szkło is a celebration of materials and the glassblowing process, with no two pieces alike. Szkło is a combination of an imaginary approach, years of craftsmanship experience and an admiration for the raw material. Szkło stems from challenging the conventional glassblowing process, turning it into a playful experiment instead. As no traditional moulds are used in the process, the sculptures assume coincidental, spontaneous forms, often challenging the notion of beauty. The glassblowing process becomes as important as the final form itself. The mission of Szkło is to push the boundaries of functionality and material characteristics, turning the simple act of eating and drinking into an experience. It celebrates uniqueness and diversity. It is an invitation to limit our possessions and enjoy the quality of individual objects instead. The designs are shaped by materials, such as stacked bricks, and chunks of wood or stones. The remains of these natural materials are often captured between layers of glass and visible in the finished sculptures. Aleksandra Zawistowska is an artist, designer, working in many fields and techniques, founder of Szkło Studio. Her practice is a combination of a passion for raw, natural materials with an element of spontaneity in design. Her fascination with glass stems from its contradictions - its transformation from hot, liquid magma into a brittle sculpture. She started working with glass while studying at Sandberg Instituut, which she graduated from in 2022. She also works as a sculptor with metal, stone and ceramics.