Elis Monsport - transforming nature into glass work of art
Eliška Monsportová is the artist behind the Elis Monsport brand specializing in glass engraving. Eliška studied at UMPRUM at the glass studio. Her work transforms glass into art that is truly unique. Collaborative and custom-made projects bring to life limited or one of a kind pieces telling a story.
Magpaper asked Eliška to share her story and unveil some secrets of the process of a glass artist.
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you started your glass engraving journey.
My name is Eliška Monsportová – and I'm a founder of the Elis Monsport brand. I'm a multidisciplinary artist and designer who focuses on the complexity of glass engraving. UMPRUM university, the glass studio under the leadership of Rony Plesl, helped me find my way, a way of expressing myself and a lot of contacts for the future.
However, I learned the most in the process of work, creation or during the implementation of an order. Learning in the process and from the craftsmen I work with has been the greatest school.
I was most interested in engraving, so I went to a weekend course with the great engraver Jaroslav Šára. After some time, I bought my own engraving machine and looked for boundaries that could be crossed. So I try to make the engraving bigger and bigger and put this beautiful craft in different contexts.
2. What is the inspiration behind your craft?
When I work, I am absolutely absorbed by the physicality of it. My mind becomes as transparent as the glass, and my hands create a piece of reality from my thoughts in the form of a work of art. My work with engraving starts with a small vase and can end up with large-format walls, which can be part of architecture or stand-alone works of art.
Come with me on a journey to artistic expression, elevating traditional craft with a free mind and hard work into the world of art. My goal is to try to transform nature into material and that is always inspiring.
3. We read (on your website) that you like to travel. Which countries/landscapes inspire you the most?
My inspiration is everywhere where I feel "above" situations, landscape or where there is a lot of space and rocks.
4. It is impressive that your art is fully hand-made and is so detailed. What is the most challenging part of your work?
Probably to quote everything because I am planning many projects at once so it's overwhelming sometimes. Because I like to deliver everything on time and in a quality that is important to me.
6. You've done multiple collaborations with local brands resulting in incredible art pieces. Tell us a little bit about your collaborations.
My collaborations have always been based on some kind of trust and trying to come up with a product that will move the brand somewhere or will simply fit its purposes and customers
7. What are Elis Monsport aspirations? Some exciting upcoming projects collaborations?
I'm preparing several interesting projects that I can't talk about at the moment, but one of the beautiful things is a large-scale engraving for a house outside Prague. I also recently completed a large realization of a glass wall for a ceremony hall.
8. Last but not least, tell us some memorable story/unusual experience that came out of one of your art crafting ventures? :)
The only thing I can think of is that it's good to let the river flow because it flows by itself :)
For more inspiration visit Elis Monsport website https://elismonsport.com/
Cover photo courtesy: VojtaVeškrna