Boris does not “work” with glass but rather “tames” it. Transforming glass from its hot, glory, raw, liquid state into stiff, cold and fragile substance symbolizes life’s full cycle. While working in glass, Boris tries to juxtapose the beauty of nature to raw glass. In his current sculpture, Boris fuses hand blown glass with copper that is one of the rare metals having similar cooling and heating properties as glass. Copper seen through transparent glass creates a rich, jewelry-like feeling, at the same time realistically capturing live flesh hidden under skin of the powerful animal.
Dr. Boris Shpeizman was born and grew up in St. Petersburg (aka Leningrad), USSR. At age of 17, he began to study dentistry. While a student, he became an activist in a movement for human rights and democracy in the USSR. Because of this activity, he was under risk of arrest and used the first possible opportunity to immigrate to Israel.
After few “quiet” years of working as a dentist, Boris began to paint and then sculpt. In 2005, Boris got a BFA from Bezalel Academy of Art, department of Ceramic and Glass Design. Subsequently he closed his dental clinic to devote all his energy to glass blowing.
During his relatively short career as a glass artist, he has received prestigious international scholarships and awards such as scholarship to study at Pilchuck, WA, won numerous art competitions and held several personal shows. Currently, Boris is working as a lecturer at Bezalel Academy of Art and in his Glass Studio in Tel Aviv, Israel. His glass sculptures have been included in exhibitions in galleries, museums and private collections in Israel, France, UK and US.
