\u201cApart from being inspired by its poetry, I was also curious about the practical side of stained glass craft,\u201d John starts his story during our interview at his \u201cArtglas\u201d<\/a> atelier in Zonhoven. He is the author of one of the few enterprises in Belgium producing modern artistic stained glass panels.<\/p>\n Voracious observers often become writers or craftsmen, and John, the creator of more than a thousand artistic glass objects, is a classic example. \u201cThe wake-up call came many years ago, when I was in my mid-twenties. I decided to follow a three-year training program on glassmaking, and hereupon then my childhood memories played a key role in the decision to specialize in stained glass. I was finally able to answer longstanding questions literally \u2013 by sculpting my own glass objects,\u201d he recalls.<\/p>\n Stained glass by \u201cArtglas\u201d\/ Courtesy Anuschka Theunissen<\/p>\n<\/div>\n After graduating at the age of 28, with almost no investments, John opened his first atelier situated in one of the rooms of his family home. The company produced simple traditional stained glass panels for ordinary Belgian farm houses. \u201cIn the beginning it was important to me that I learn every aspect of the business: from the craft of producing to dealing with employees, arranging finances and marketing\u201d, confesses John.<\/p>\n In the end of 90s the market changed drastically. When people thought about stained glass, they often imagined sleepy farming areas with old-school homes inhabited by the elderly. The stained-glass panels have certainly become less fashionable \u2013 a far cry from the middle parts of the 20th century, when they were seen by many as the future of interior design. The demand for John\u2019s products started to gradually decline, and he estimated that, knowing that if the downward trend continued, in a couple of years he would get no more client orders. It was the time for the company to switch directions and revamp the business model in order to survive.<\/p>\n John Dierickx at \u201cArtglas\u201d atelier \/ Courtesy Anuschka Theunissen<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The making of stained glass craft straddles the line between craft and art. Because of the emphasis on technical skill in stained glass circles, it\u2019s rare to see a piece of stained glass in a contemporary museum and think \u201cradical.\u201d<\/p>\n In 2002 John Dierickx took a risk and opened a new company \u201cArtglas\u201d, short for \u2018artistic glass panels\u2019, taking into consideration two basic rules: to create the demand and turn around orders better than anyone else. John has given a new turn to his business of stained glass: he starts developing modern designs, then focuses on making each piece a custom-made artistic work.<\/p>\n \u201cArtglas\u201d\/ Courtesy Anuschka Theunissen<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cThe beginning of this century was the right moment to brainstorm on what to do with the stagnating business and how to develop my atelier if to develop it at all. One day a friend of mine who works at Nike voiced a good idea: \u201cWe don\u2019t follow the demand, we create it\u201d. Well, I suddenly realized I shouldn\u2019t follow the stagnating stained glass market, but instead propose something unique and cause making it a trend. I discovered that I could draw. I started experimenting with designs, a lot came from personal experience and memory, but also I tried to address various social values that are important. In fact, I understood why I love working with glass \u2013 because it allows me to work out abstract ideas whether metaphysical, spiritual or even how to deal with practicalities. The process of questioning and analyzing always leads me to new forms\u201d, says John. \u2018That\u2019s how I came to conclusion of keeping the craft of stained glass alive with modern concepts\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cArtglas\u201d designed a contemporary stained-glass window for an old mansion in Tongeren. The designers had to take into account the existing iron framework. To maximize incoming daylight, they opted for clear glass with many different structures. They mounted dim lights between the glass panel and the skylight, so that the residents can enjoy their beautiful stained glass in the evenings as well. Courtesy \u201cArtglas\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The twin organizing principles have made the company (and John Dirckx) into a leader on the Belgian market. Very few companies can challenge \u201cArtglas\u201d at this moment. The company is being in competition with themselves rather than anyone else. This also earned John the quality label of Design Vlaanderen<\/a> in 2012: an award in recognition of innovative designers.<\/p>\n![\"John](\"http:\/\/seanema.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/IMG_1801-900x450.jpg\")
As a boy, when being in church, John Dierickx\u00a0tried to capture the moments of ecstatic rapture he experienced in surrendering himself to the overwhelming magic of light and shadow brought on by the colourful stained-glass windows.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"Stained](\"http:\/\/seanema.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/IMG_1785-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"](\"http:\/\/seanema.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/IMG_1797-739x1024.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\""Artglas"\/Courtesy](\"http:\/\/seanema.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/IMG_1786-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\u201cArtglas\u201d](\"http:\/\/seanema.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/78_ArtGlasTongeren_HR-4305-1-683x1024.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
![\"The](\"http:\/\/seanema.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/manifesta-10.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\""Artglass"](\"http:\/\/seanema.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/IMG_1806-1024x594.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Quality](\"http:\/\/seanema.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/IMG_1795-683x1024.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n