David Farrell

David Farrell An encounter with David Farrell's Bohemian glassworks is a spectacular reminder that glass is not just an object from which to take a drink. Farrell (b. 1968) started out as a musician; however, politics in Czechoslovakia led him to change direction and pursue other artistic interests. For several years, he designed architecture and interiors. Eventually, Farrell concentrated on decorative objects and sculptures, working in oak and sandstone. Then, he made furniture—solid oak tables and chairs out of single boards. Finally in 2012, he produced a giant marble statue to which he added Bohemian glass drops and leaves. Soon, he was in love with the variety and virtuosity of creating in glass, and he collaborated with the legendary Agnes Glassworks in NovýBor where he trained with experts. Bohemia was a part of the Austro/Hungarian Empire now part of the Czech Republic,it is world renowned for its beautiful Bohemian glassworks.Bohemian artists from the 13th Century started with the abundant natural resources found in the countryside. They discovered that potash combined with chalk created a clear colorless glass that was more stable than glass from Italy and Scandinavia.It was at that time when the term Bohemian crystal emerged and the rest was history.In the 20th Century World War II left the long-established Czech glass industry in ruins. After the war the Czech citizens were induced witha spirit of patriotic fervor that moved individual artists in the new Czech Republic to take control of their ancient Bohemian glass heritage. David Farrell, inspired by nature, enjoys working with only natural materials. "Glass has always fascinated me because it is malleable for a short period of time. You have to give it a chance and form the glass quickly. When renowned Bohemian artist BorekSipek, the father of neo-baroque architecture, offered me the use of his glass studio and cooperation with a team of master Bohemian glassblowers, led by master glassmaker Ivan Kubel, I jumped at the opportunity”, he explains. Can you fall in love with glass? "For me, the answer is yes," says Farrell, "When working with Bohemian glass, I experience a feeling of happiness, great energy and a sense of improvisation that I can never leave behind." While many of Farrell's designs are based on traditional shapes and patterns, he enjoys experimenting with modern interpretations, adding a bit of fantasy with bubbles, interlacing spheres and applied ornaments. It is with great excitement to announce that Farrell's creations are now available in the US market exclusively with The Grand Bohemian Galleries. Created by: Cynthia Elyce Rubin Ph.D.