Lukáš Mjartan – Geometry and the Human Body

Lukáš Mjartan began his artistic journey in ceramics before studying industrial design in Bratislava. After the fall of the Iron Curtain, he embraced new opportunities abroad, attending the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków and later the University of Sunderland. There, he discovered his passion for glass under the guidance of Zora Palová and her husband, Štěpán Pala. He later assisted them, mastering glass techniques before establishing his own studio in Bratislava.

Mjartan’s early works featured upright panels with labyrinthine corridors behind flat surfaces, blending geometric precision with raw, broken edges. He then explored hollow glass bodies with elliptical contours, oscillating between free gestural expression and calculated geometry. His monochromatic works gain depth through contrasts of polished, matte, and textured surfaces, often referencing nature or mythology.

Over time, Mjartan transitioned from linear elements to angular, spatial structures. These dynamic compositions derive tension from sharply arranged elements and contrasting surface treatments. His later works became more curvilinear, featuring rounded forms with horizontal constrictions and delicate incised striations. Polished edges allow light to penetrate, emphasizing the interplay of soft curves and geometric complexity.

Recently, his sculptures have increasingly drawn inspiration from the human body, but mathematics remains integral to his work. Through geometry, Mjartan continues to explore natural and organic phenomena, merging precision with expressive form.