Thursday Salute to Originals: Glass Shard Animals

Have you heard of Marta Klonowska? She is an artist that resides in Warsaw, Poland who sculpts animals from shards of glass. Each sculpture is created from a familiar four-legged companion but is reminiscent of the animals in a children’s fairytale!

Klonowska says that “Animals are difficult to understand and it is difficult to communicate with them. My glass animals open therefore a new reality, which is different from ours.” The source of her inspiration is historical paintings that are romantically themed from the Baroque era. The animals in these paintings are prestigious and represent wealth and power.

Klonowska begins each sculpture with an outline of the animal using a metal frame and net mesh. Next, she meticulously places each shard of glass onto the metal frame. The process of making a sculpture is not an easy task. It requires plenty of patience, dedication, and an immense attention to detail. When completed each sculpture portrays an avant-garde characteristic. Who could imagine that each sculpture was created from prickly pieces of glass shards? Klonowska brings each canine creature to life when finished with visible majestic traits!

Today we’re saluting Marta Klonowska and her glass sculptures. Her work is regal while embracing a light-hearted spirit. And, although we might want to pet these prickly critters, it would be unwise to do so!

Sources: Lorch + Seidel, This is Colossal, Porta-Polonica, Inhabitat