Thomas Blank
Short Profile
Thomas Blank was born in Berne, Switzerland, in 1973. He is a master of transformation, who has been investigating the nature of glass for over 20 years, without losing his fascination for the versatility of this unique material. On his artistic voyage towards ever more sublime expression, he creates marvelous vitreous objects, both in terms of shape and color. The reflections, refractions, and optical illusions are especially appealing, and challenge the perception of the viewer. Thomas Blank is both an artist and a craftsman. During his art studies in San Francisco, he already used to work both as a glass-melting technician and as a glass-blower, and he attended workshops by the famous Michael Schunke and Michael Schreiner. Later, he learned the Venetian technique from Josiah McEleheny (1998) and became the assistant to Simone Cenedese in Murano in 2003. Apart from manufacturing, Thomas also works as a lecturer and designer. His works of art have been shown in Europe, the USA, and Japan. Many of them can be seen in numerous collections, including those of the Contemporary Art Museum of Honolulu (Hawaii) and the Museum for Design & Applied Arts in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Statement
»Similar as glass, man must become transparent and shapeable.«
Thomas Blank
Vitrum varium
Video showing impressions of the solo exhibition Vitrum varium of Thomas Blank at WBB GALLERY in 2016.
Biographical Sketch
- 1973: Born in Berne, Switzerland
- 1995: Business-oriented gymnasium, Collège du St.-Michel, Fribourg, Switzerland
- 2001: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture, with focus on glass, State University, San Francisco, USA
- 2003: Work as glass-blower and artist in his Berne studio, Switzerland
Exhibitions
- 2016: Solo exhibition Vitrum varium at WBB GALLERY, Zurich, Switzerland
- 2015: Murano-glass exhibition (cose fragili), Museum Bellerive, Zurich, Switzerland
- 2013: Vitromusée Romont, Romont, Switzerland
- 2012: Bestform 11, Kornhausforum Berne, Switzerland
- 2008: European Glass Context, Bornhom, Denmark
- 2008: Bestform 08, Kornhausforum Berne, Switzerland
- 2007: Verre contemporain suisse, Espaces Art et Objets, Lausanne, Switzerland
- 2007: Céramique ancienne et verre contemporain, Enghien, Belgium
- 2006: Design Labor, Gewerbemuseum Winterthur & Kornhausforum Berne, Switzerland
- 2004: International Exhibtion of Glass, Glass Art Museum, Notojima, Japan
- 2004: International Exhibition of Glass, Kanazawa, Japan
- 2003: Glass Now 03, American Liberty Museum, Philadelphia, USA
- 2002: Sanske Galerie, Zurich, Switzerland
- 2002: Exquisite Vessels, Contemporary Art Museum, Honolulu (Hawaii), USA
Grants & Awards
- 2011: Project funding by the canton of Berne
- 2009: Project funding by the canton of Berne
- 2007: Project funding by the canton of Berne
- 1998: Pilchuck Glass School, Stanwood
- 1998: Northern California Paperweight Collectors