The Universal Language of Ornament

Unlike most Slovak potters and folk artists of his generation, Štefan Mlích did not train as a potter. He discovered the craft whilst working as a restorer, and it gradually became both his lifelong passion and his primary medium of artistic expression. The exhibition presents a cross-section of the artist’s work, with an emphasis on Beluja pottery, which he has preserved for present-day generations as a living heritage through his own contribution. At the same time, it raises questions about the place of working with traditional ornamentation and old technological processes in today’s world. We will seek the answers to these questions together at the ÚĽUV Design Studio from 7 August to 25 September 2026.

Title: The Universal Language of Ornament
Venue: ÚĽUV Design Studio, Dobrovičova 13, Bratislava
Open: Mondays and Thursdays | 2.00 pm – 6.00 pm
Opening: 6 August 2026 at 5.00 pm
Duration: 7 August – 25 September 2026
Curator: Tomáš Mikolaj