To the Hungarian glassworker Dóra Varga, one of the best European master artisans dedicated to glass sculpture, the process of creation is central to her work. She feels that she captures a photo, often affected by current events in her life, in the movement of hot glass. She also takes her inspiration from contemporary architecture, music and films.
©Dóra Varga
Dóra is interested in color theory, such as the relationship between color and space. Creating series of artworks also highlights the significance of her creative process. She works with regular, geometric shapes and likes to experiment with the material qualities of glass.
Art Piece from the “SYNK” series (2013). This collection works with the concepts of ‘symbiosis’, ‘symbiote’ and ‘parasite’ ©Dóra Varga
Work of Art from the “SYNK” (2013) collection. ©Dóra Varga
Dóra first studied in the ceramics department of the Gábor Áron Secondary School of Arts between 1999 and 2003, following which she studied glass design in the silicate department of the University of Art and Design Budapest.
“Screenshot” is a glass sculpture made in 2014 that researches the correlation between the image and the form. ©Dóra Varga
“Avatar” (2015). The blue rods between the two colourless lenses appear to be floating in space. The interior of the rods can be seen because of the colourless glass. For Dóra it is an information channel that she named Avatar. ©Dóra Varga
Most of her sculptures combine pâte de verre and casting techniques. She uses contrasting surfaces and colors. She often experiments with mixing colors and the movement of pigments within an art piece. She grinds and polishes her mold-shaped sculptures.
“Bubble factory” (2009). In the Bubble Factory series Dóra was inspired by her childhood toys such as the bubble blower, flipper and the glass balls. The objects were melted together from glass balls. The basic shape and its excisions seem to regulate and direct the “movement” of the bubbles. ©Dóra Varga
Video projections are often an integral part of her installations. Dóra Varga is keen on linking her work with other media such as music and video where time, and particularly the passing of time, is significant. She finds it important to collaborate with artists using other media, as she is particularly interested in the interaction between different disciplines. Recently she has been creating installations with visual artists to associate other art forms with glass, such as video mapping.
“Wave & Sissi” (2010 & 2014). With her series called “Wave”, which was made using the patê de verre technique, Dóra intended to visualize fragility and sensitivity: a feeling, the essence of which is the transition and the resulting tension. ©Dóra Varga
“Wave & Sissi” (2010 & 2014) ©Dóra Varga
Smog spot is a glass bowl-shaped sculpture, a reflection on pollution, portraying the negative effect both on humans and on nature. The top part of the sculpture was polished. In contrast to this shiny, liquid-like surface, the bottom of the sculpture is a structured matte block that resembles a piece of earth.
“Smog spot” (2017) was Dóra’s chosen art piece in the room Best of Europe at Homo Faber 2018
See More Related Stories
The Best of Glass Sculpture and Wood Art: Backhaus-Brown and Egevaerk
