Jochen Holz, born in Germany and based in London, is a glass artist who employs the technique of lampworking, a form of glassblowing used primarily to make scientific equipment. Choosing to practice this creatively is a radical departure from its traditional use, positioning him as one of the few in his field to do so in the UK. His work consists of tableware and lighting sculptures, the latter including chandeliers, table lights and sconces.

Through extensive practice, Holz has developed a distinct language in his craft. An example is his technique for texturing clear glass tubes, achieved by pressing molten areas onto surfaces like perforated metal or wood, resulting in textured, undulating forms.

Holz’s practice seeks to challenge the conventional perception of glass; perceiving this material as, enriched with character, shape and history, the antithesis of Walter Benjamin’s idea that glass is a ‘material with no aura’. 

Examining the possibilities of sculptural lighting, his work bypasses the conventional thin, wall-mounted lamps instead opting to use thick borosilicate glass tubing to create free-standing 3D shapes and immersive light installations. Using gases such as helium and neon allows him to additionally imbue works with colour.

Holz has worked in various contexts, from fashion jewellery for brands like Peter Pilotto, Bottega Veneta, and Browns, to gallery exhibitions with Hauser and Wirth, and participation in design fairs like Nomad Monaco and Miami Basel. Recent solo shows include lucid dreaming, Shophouse, Hong Kong in 2021 and a solo presentation at Design House, Cavendish Square during London Design Festival in 2021. In 2022 Holz exhibited collaborative works with Saelia Aparicio for the 2022 show a sentient space, and new works from the La Belle et la Bête series for his 2023 solo exhibition Glass Transifigurations, both at Gallery FUMI, London.