Rafał Wielgus -- Geometry Beyond Geometry III

Rafał Wielgus
Geometry Beyond Geometry III, 2026
Glass, copper foil
11⅜ x 7⅞ in.

The stained glass pieces are handcrafted; individual glass elements are precisely cut, soldered, and then patinated, ensuring each composition retains a unique, artisanal character. The works feature compositions based on the interplay of circle, square, and triangle motifs. As the geometric shapes overlap, they create new arrangements and the impression of new forms, altering the perception of space. The pieces are made from smooth, 3.5 mm (9/64 in) thick "bubble glass," in which air bubbles are intentionally trapped during formation, giving the surface a distinctive, unique texture.

Rafał Wielgus lives and works in New York and Warsaw, Poland. He began his creative journey 25 years ago with photography—a medium that remains a vital source of his sensitivity to light, composition, and form today. He currently explores ceramics and stained glass, seeking new ways to work with color, space, and material within these mediums. His artistic language is rooted in a dialogue between basic geometric shapes, which he juxtaposes, transforms, and layers. The resulting compositions balance on the boundary between geometry and illusion, creating ambiguous optical effects and inviting the viewer to continually discover new forms.