Licca Glass
Licca Glass , founded by Japanese glass artist 小林利華, is renowned for her intricate blown glass creations designed for everyday use. Inspired by nature and daily life, each piece is a testament to her imagination and creativity.
Licca Glass celebrates the fluidity of glass and the joy of discovery, turning everyday objects into meaningful, one-of-a-kind creations. We are delighted to introduce her exceptional glass art to the United States. Our curated collection showcases a variety of her beautiful series, including LANDSCAPE and IN THE SEA.
小林利華
• 1995: Born in Hokkaido
• 2018: Graduated from Akita University of Art, Joined the glassblowing studio FUSION FACTORY
• 2020: Became the head of FUSION FACTORY
• 2022: Left FUSION FACTORY
• 2023: Began working as an independent artist based in Hokkaido
What inspired you to pursue a career as a glass artist?
As a child, I had a passion for physical education and art classes. In university, I encountered glassblowing and was instantly drawn to it. The process of sweating, moving my body, and crafting with my hands felt like a perfect fusion of sports and art - it immediately captivated me.
Could you walk us through your creative process?
I often begin without a fixed vision of the final piece. At times, I let the glass guide me; other times, I explore and test my own ideas as I go. This combination of spontaneity and experimentation often leads to unexpected discoveries, which I find both refreshing and exciting. As I work, the final form gradually comes into focus.
Many of your works feature themes of people and scenes. Why did you choose to depict such scenarios, and where do you draw inspiration from during the creative process?
My signature LANDSCAPE series was inspired by Tokyo’s Shibuya Scramble Crossing. Watching the crowd bustling about, I thought, “If I view this scene from above, everyone moves randomly, and it looks colorful and charming.” That became the starting point for the series. Since then, whenever I encounter a new landscape, I often consider how I can interpret it as part of the LANDSCAPE series.
Could you tell us more about your production process? If there are any interesting stories or challenges you’ve faced, we’d love to hear about them.
One key aspect of the LANDSCAPE series is that the figures are not just painted on the glass - they are carved out from layers of colored glass. The process begins while the glass is still hot, with the colored glass being added to the surface to shape the piece. However, the glass doesn’t always adhere as intended, which can be a challenge.
In those moments, I let the unexpected patterns inspire me. I start imagining the figures: “What kind of person should this become?” or “What story is emerging here?” Depending on how the colors are arranged, I’ll think, “This could be a family of three,” “These two might be a couple,” or “Maybe these are friends meeting up.” It’s incredibly enjoyable to create and imagine the relationships between the people in the scene.
Your pieces use glass as a canvas, featuring intricate and delicate designs on a very small scale. They feel remarkably light and airy. What inspired you to work with this proportion and scale?
The main reason is that I want the drink poured into the glass to serve as the background, completing the “landscape” when in use. The color of the beverage changes the scene, allowing users to enjoy the transformation and create a new experience every time they use the piece.
Which part of the creative process do you enjoy the most, and why?
While I enjoy the glassblowing process itself, my favorite part is carving out the figures. Thinking about the relationships between the characters and imagining their connections brings me so much joy. I often find myself smiling as I work on them.
Could you tell us about your workspace and creative environment?
I currently rent a studio in Kitahiroshima City, Hokkaido. The studio is surrounded by forests and fields, offering the quintessential natural beauty of Hokkaido. It’s adjacent to Sapporo, the city where I was born and raised, which gives me a sense of familiarity and comfort.
In addition to your well-known series, you’ve continued creating a variety of other works. What are your future aspirations?
I’ve always loved the softness of glass. It fascinates me how even slight changes in temperature or conditions can create entirely different expressions. I enjoy working with the natural fluidity of glass, sometimes letting it guide me, discovering unexpected forms along the way. It’s like having a conversation with the material, and I find that process incredibly rewarding.
Moving forward, I hope to continue creating alongside this “living” material, enjoying every moment of discovery and creativity it brings.
