Glass Offers Me Limitless Possibilities
Tomáš Vatrt | March 26, 2021
“Glass offers me limitless possibilities.” These are the words of Achilleas Sdoukos, a Slovak-Greek glass artist and designer whose creative journey centers on exploring the mysteries of magical glass.
Achilleas infuses his work with a touch of luxury by combining glass with precious metals, leaving his distinct signature on every piece. Each creation is unique, and he represents his art at numerous exhibitions both at home and abroad.
How did you get started in the world of art?
My mother is a painter, so I have been surrounded by art since childhood. The world of art became an inseparable part of my life from a very early age.
My mother is a painter, so I have been surrounded by art since childhood. The world of art became an inseparable part of my life from a very early age.
Your father is of Greek descent, which is immediately apparent from your exotic name. Besides your name, did you also inherit a special relationship with Greece and its culture?
I was named after my grandfather, as is tradition; the name itself has an artistic flair. Greece is my second home, where a large part of my family lives. Ancient Greece, with its mythical stories, has been a major source of inspiration for me since I first started. Every time I return to Greece, I gather new inspiration.
I was named after my grandfather, as is tradition; the name itself has an artistic flair. Greece is my second home, where a large part of my family lives. Ancient Greece, with its mythical stories, has been a major source of inspiration for me since I first started. Every time I return to Greece, I gather new inspiration.
“My goal is originality, progress, and design without borders in every form that glass allows me.” Why glass? Aren't you tempted to express your visions through other materials?
Among all the materials I’ve had the chance to work with since childhood, glass is the most attractive medium for me. However, I haven’t given up on ceramics, stone, or wood. I use them as complementary elements because glass has enchanted me the most. In modern design, glass offers inexhaustible possibilities. Glass never ages; it has been with us since ancient times. Visit antique shops or churches, look into various display cases, and you’ll find that glass design has an amazing ability to travel through time and always provide a fresh experience.
Among all the materials I’ve had the chance to work with since childhood, glass is the most attractive medium for me. However, I haven’t given up on ceramics, stone, or wood. I use them as complementary elements because glass has enchanted me the most. In modern design, glass offers inexhaustible possibilities. Glass never ages; it has been with us since ancient times. Visit antique shops or churches, look into various display cases, and you’ll find that glass design has an amazing ability to travel through time and always provide a fresh experience.
You also work in interior design. Do you often incorporate your primary medium into the spaces you design?
I strive for glass to play a role in a space—to captivate, yet also serve as a discreet backdrop that provides new beauty and excitement every time we pass by. Glass is always applicable where airiness and an unexpectedly beautiful moment are needed, whether in an open space or on a wall.
I strive for glass to play a role in a space—to captivate, yet also serve as a discreet backdrop that provides new beauty and excitement every time we pass by. Glass is always applicable where airiness and an unexpectedly beautiful moment are needed, whether in an open space or on a wall.
"People think design is a matter of style. Design is not style. It’s not about changing the form of an object without caring about its content. Good design is a Renaissance approach, where you combine technology, science, human needs, and beauty in a way that creates something the world didn't even know it needed."
Do clients know exactly what they want when they come to your studio?
Most people interested in my work don't have a precise idea of what they want. That’s when my intuition, or rather my ability to guide them, comes into play. When designing for a specific interior, I try to harmoniously blend my ideas with the client's vision. This is how unique works of art are born.
Most people interested in my work don't have a precise idea of what they want. That’s when my intuition, or rather my ability to guide them, comes into play. When designing for a specific interior, I try to harmoniously blend my ideas with the client's vision. This is how unique works of art are born.
Do your artworks have a specific signature style?
Of course, I have my favorite techniques that have become my signature. For instance, I mostly use gold, platinum, and bronze—or combinations of them—in my creation. When you look at a finished piece, you might feel like you’re looking at metal, but it is actually glass.
Of course, I have my favorite techniques that have become my signature. For instance, I mostly use gold, platinum, and bronze—or combinations of them—in my creation. When you look at a finished piece, you might feel like you’re looking at metal, but it is actually glass.
Are you still playing guitar in the band Revoltage?
Yes, it’s my first serious band where I still compose and play. This activity is another passion of mine. Although we can't perform right now (so I can't present myself with Karpina or Revoltage), it doesn't mean the music is dormant. On the contrary, I have a classical guitar teacher and I’m constantly coming up with and recording ideas that we work on during rehearsals to prepare new material for recording.
Yes, it’s my first serious band where I still compose and play. This activity is another passion of mine. Although we can't perform right now (so I can't present myself with Karpina or Revoltage), it doesn't mean the music is dormant. On the contrary, I have a classical guitar teacher and I’m constantly coming up with and recording ideas that we work on during rehearsals to prepare new material for recording.
What are your plans for your music?
We’ve recorded several EPs and an album. Just like with glass, it fulfills me when you leave something behind that brings joy to people. I would like to further connect the worlds of visual art and music. We are exploring ways to perform our ideas in acoustic versions at upcoming events and exhibitions. It's a secondary artistic line of mine.
We’ve recorded several EPs and an album. Just like with glass, it fulfills me when you leave something behind that brings joy to people. I would like to further connect the worlds of visual art and music. We are exploring ways to perform our ideas in acoustic versions at upcoming events and exhibitions. It's a secondary artistic line of mine.
Something like psychological hygiene?
Definitely. It’s something I hold dear to my heart; I do it with great enthusiasm, and it is a part of my life.
Definitely. It’s something I hold dear to my heart; I do it with great enthusiasm, and it is a part of my life.
Do your inspirations from glass and music overlap? Have you tried to embody music in glass?
I already applied that back in university; we did visual-video installations. There were motifs from individual compositions cast in glass. It’s essentially mathematics that can play out in images through a different formula.
I already applied that back in university; we did visual-video installations. There were motifs from individual compositions cast in glass. It’s essentially mathematics that can play out in images through a different formula.
Are you still hesitating to visit our studio or collaborate with us?
Book an appointment to visit the studio at atelier@achilleas.glass, and Achilleas Sdoukos himself will personally guide you through the studio and the creative process.
Book an appointment to visit the studio at atelier@achilleas.glass, and Achilleas Sdoukos himself will personally guide you through the studio and the creative process.
We look forward to your visit.
