Olivovi (The Oliva Family)
Katia was born and raised in the Czech Republic and comes from a family of successful glass artists. Below are links, photos and information about them.
Ladislav Oliva Sr. (Grandfather)
- Born 1933
Ladislav Oliva is one of the most exhibited Czech glass artists, and he is considered by many to be a forefather of contemporary Czech glass design. His compositions impart a feeling of movement and a delicate mixture of moods and emotions. Oliva is noted for his experimentation with sandblasted glass and for a large–scale glass wall that he created for The World’s Fair Expo 67 in Montreal.
He was employed as a designer for Bohemia Poděbrady from 1964–1969, after graduating from the School of Applied Arts in Prague, where he studied under Professor Joseph Kaplický. A tenured professor at the Schools of Glassmaking in Železny Brod and Kamenický Šenov from 1969–1994, his designs have been featured in many publications within the Czech Republic and throughout the world.
Oliva’s art has been displayed in many international expositions, including the following distinguished exhibitions: The International Exhibition of Decorative Art in Milan, Glass 59 and New Glass at The Corning Museum of Glass in New York, and The World’s Fair Expo in Montreal and Osaka.
His numerous international awards include gold medals at the XI. Triennale Milan and at the International Fair in Stuttgart, and first prize for his work at the Exhibition of Czech Glass in Charleroi, Belgium. Ladislav Oliva’s work is currently being shown at The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library in Cedar Rapids, Iowa as part of an exhibition entitled, “Glass Behind the Iron Curtain: Czech Design, 1948–1978.”
Ladislav Oliva Jr. (Father)
Born on May 27, 1964 in Česká Lípa, Czech Republic
1978 – 1982: Attended the Second School of Applied Arts Specializing in Glassmaking in Železný Brod, field of study: Hand-Shaping of Melted Glass by Prof. Pavel Ježek
1982 – 1988: Studied at the University of Applied Arts in Prague, field of study: Graphic Arts of Glassmaking by Prof. Stanislav Libenský.
1989 – 1991: Designer at Harrachov glass Factory
1991: With his brother Tomáš built their own glass furnace and established a small studio focusing on Gothic period reproductions and their own similar design.
1993 – Present: Works with his wife Marie at their home studio creating a new line of handmade glass mosaic as well as cast glass sculpture and jewelry.
You can find examples of his work at their website: www.sklo-oliva.czweb.org
Marie Olivová (Mother)
Born in Nymburk, Czech Republic 1963
1978-1982: Attended the Secondary School of Applied Arts Specializing in Glassmaking in Železný Brod, field of study: Glass Cutting
1982-1985: Worked as an art restorer at the Vlastivědném museum in Nymburk.
1983: Completed restoration course in Brno
1989-1993: Designer at Harrachov glass Factory
1993 – Present: Lives and works at their home studio in Železný Brod making sculpture, fused glass jewelry and handmade glass mosaics
2008: Opened Galerii na Rynku with Alena Kortanova
You can find examples of her work at their website: www.sklo-oliva.czweb.org
Their gallery website is: www.galerienarynku.wbs.cz/
Tereza Mušková Olivová (Sister)
Born August 1st 1987 in Nyburk, Czech Republic
2002-2006: Attended the Secondary School of Applied Arts Specializing in Glassmaking in Železný Brod, field of study: glass engraving
2006-2008: the Secondary School of Applied Arts specializing in metal engraving in Jablonec nad Nisou
2009-Present: lives and works at her home studio creating jewelry
You can find examples of her work at: www.fler.cz/user/17547
