Shattering Expectations: Broken Glass Portraits by Simon Berger

Swiss artist Simon Berger employs a unique method to craft his remarkable glass artworks, turning the act of destruction into a form of artistry. By striking glass panes with a hammer, he masterfully shatters them, resulting in beautifully detailed portraits.

Originally trained as a carpenter, Simon’s familiarity with tools and materials laid the groundwork for his artistic exploration. However, it was his willingness to experiment and break away from conventional canvas and paint that led him to discover his signature style. By treating safety glass not as a barrier but as a canvas, Berger has reinvented the act of portrait-making.

The process behind Berger’s portraits is mesmerizing. With extreme precision, he taps the glass with a hammer, cracking it in such a way that from the chaos of shattered lines emerges a recognizable, almost ethereal, human likeness. This technique requires not only a deep understanding of the material but also a mastery of force. Too much strength, and the glass will shatter beyond recognition; too little, and the image won’t emerge. It’s this balance between creation and destruction that defines his work.

If you would like to learn more about Simon and his incredible shattered glass pieces, pay a visit to his website.

More glass art via Core77