While art has a purely individual character, there are cases when the imaginations of two artists overlap and complement each other so well that they choose to work together. Ingrid Račková and David Suchopárek, who have been making art together as IRDS since 2001, are graduates of Prague’s Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design (1993–1999); she studied at the glass studio (prof. Vladimír Kopecký) and he studied the use of glass in architecture (prof. Marian Karel).
After many years of design work that gave them confidence in handling materials, they have managed to transform this “genetic inheritance”, the seemingly impossible marriage between intimate space and monumentality, into their own artistic approach to glass, which currently has three different aspects.
Their geometric objects made from cut and layered coloured glass are considered to the last detail and made with flawless craftsmanship into the form of pyramids that become the visual and emotional centre of any space. Račková and Suchopárek can fully utilise all the optical effects of glass and choose colour combinations that make each of these archetypal shapes feel unique.
A combination of geometric and organic patterns can be seen in their dynamic melted glass sculptures: cut, matted, polished or layered. Here, too, colour plays an important role, giving the objects a visual definition and adding another dimension.
Račková and Suchopárek particularly stand out with their glass paintings, which are mainly engraved and painted. After a period of geometric constructions, they have turned to a purely abstract approach. They use glass the way a painter uses canvas; for them it’s a material whose optical and aesthetic properties are secondary. And yet these paintings, just like their objects, can dominate a space.
Ingrid Račková and David Suchopárek are not only creative, as you’d expect artists to be, but also ambitious and hardworking. They have an inner discipline that guarantees their further artistic growth. Their current work is the result of thousands upon thousands of hours spent with glass and thinking about glass. That’s why it’s so impressive and alluring.
Petr Nový, Museum of Glass and Jewellery in Jablonec nad Nisou.
MgA. INGRID RAČKOVÁ
EDUCATION
1989 - 1993
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School of Applied Art in Jablonec nad Nisou
1993 - 1999
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Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague - Glass studio - Profesor Vladimír Kopecký
MgA. DAVID SUCHOPÁREK
EDUCATION
1988 - 1992
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School of Applied Art in Železný Brod
1993 - 1999
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Academy of Applied Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague - Glass in Architecture studio
Profesor Marian Karel
1998
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Pilchuck Glass School
2009 - 2013
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Lecture and workshop, University Tomáš Baťa, Zlín
since 2001 - work in partnership - IRDS
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2019
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Ingrid Račková David Suchopárek, Broft Gallery, Leerdam
2017
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Ways of Confluence, Glass Gallery Stölting, Hamburg
2013
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Refined Element, Prague
EXHIBITIONS
2019
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Pavel Ježek and his students, Železný Brod
2019
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Summer Exhibition 2019, Glass Gallery Stölting, Hamburg
2018
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Prague Design Week 2018, Prague
2018
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Museum of Glass and Jewellery, Jablonec nad Nisou
2017
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7th International Symposium of Engraved Glass, Kamenický Šenov
2017
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Prague Now, Prague
2017
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The story of Moser Crystal, Prague
2017
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Gallery Medium, Bratislava
2017
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Ambiente-Fair of Glass, Frankfurt am Main
2017
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Maison & Objet, Paris
2016
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Jiří Dostál+21, Liberec
2016
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Fragile power of glass, Prague
2016
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Ambiente-Fair of Glass, Frankfurt am Main
2016
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Maison & Objet, Paris
2015
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Glassfest-15. Festival of Art Glass, Karlovy Vary
2015
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Le isole dei tesori, Prague
2015
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Le isole dei tesori, Salone del Mobile, Milano
2015
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Ambiente-Fair of Glass, Frankfurt am Main
2015
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Maison & Objet, Paris
2014
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Czech Glass Masters, Chomutov
2014
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Ambiente-Fair of Glass, Frankfurt am Main
2014
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Maison & Objet, Paris
2013
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Czech Glass Masters, Prague
2013
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Ambiente-Fair of Glass, Frankfurt am Main
2013
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Maison & Objet, Paris
2011
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Ambiente-Fair of Glass, Frankfurt am Main
2012
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Maison & Objet, Paris
2010
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KOP 90-09, Graduates of Professor V. Kopecký, Jablonec nad Nisou
2010
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Czech glass studio, Sophia
2010
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Becherovka, Museum of Decorative Arts, Prague
2009
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Fresh! Design 1999-2009 Collection Museum of Decorative Arts, Prague
2009
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Ambiente-Fair of Glass, Frankfurt am Main
2008
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Ambiente-Fair of Glass, Frankfurt am Main
2007
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Design-New Face, Pardubice
2007
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Designblok, Prague
2007
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Ambiente-Fair of Glass, Frankfurt am Main
2006
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Ambiente-Fair of Glass, Frankfurt am Main
2005
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Art & Interior, Prague
2005
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Ambiente-Fair of Glass, Frankfurt am Main
2004
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Art & Decoration, Prague
2004
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Design Corso, Prague
2004
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Puredesign, Prague
2004
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CzechMania, Birmingham, Berlin
2004
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The Excellent Product of the Year 2004, Prague, Brno
2004
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Ambiente-Fair of Glass, Frankfurt am Main
2003
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Our Daily Companion-Contemporary Czech Design, Prague
2003
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VIII. International Glass Symposium, Nový Bor
2003
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3th Festival Art Glass, Karlovy Vary
2003
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School of V. Kopecký, Castle Sovinec, Ostrava
2003
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4th Exhibition of Czech and Foreign Design, Prague
2003
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Ambiente-Fair of Glass, Frankfurt am Main
2002
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Bohemians Glass, Prague
2002
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Ambiente-Fair of Glass, Frankfurt am Main
REALIZATIONS
2005 - 2018
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Design for Moser
2009
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Glasss Hop - sculpture in architecture, Žatec
2004 - 2007
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Design for Jablonex Group -Železnobrodské sklo
2002 - 2006
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Design for Jablonex Group - Desenské sklárny
2002 - 2003
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Design for Libera - BCT Liberec
2002
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Design for Alchymie Praha, USA
2002
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Design for Barovier & Toso - B.A.G. Vsetín
2001
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Face of Private house, Žatec
REPRESENTATION IN COLLECTIONS
Museum of Decorative Arts, Prague
Muskegon Museum of Art, Michigan, USA
Museum of Glass and Jewellery, Jablonec nad Nisou
East Bohemian Gallery, Pardubice
North Bohemian Museum, Liberec
Moravian Gallery, Brno
Private Collections
AWARDS
Wallpaper Design Award 2014