Miriam Schnyder, Art X on Glass AG Founder and CEO: “Our idea is that everybody should have the opportunity to have the artwork from Art X on Glass in his/her home.”

Art X on Glass AG is a unique, art-focused company based near Basel, Switzerland, that breathes new life into the historic technique of behind-glass painting. The company was founded by Miriam Schnyder, who is also the owner of SCHNYDER Glasworld GmbH, a successful business in the glass processing industry. Miriam launched Art X on Glass AG as a way to explore her creative passion and support a meaningful personal goal: to one day create safe, welcoming spaces for children with autism to spend time after school, offering peace of mind to their families.

Art X on Glass AG specializes in painting the reverse side of glass using acrylic colors and spray. Every piece is handmade and one-of-a-kind, transforming painted glass into both functional and decorative elements. These pieces can serve as wall panels in kitchens or bathrooms, parts of tables, or stand-alone artworks displayed like paintings. Behind-glass painting is a traditional technique that has largely been forgotten. It is a demanding process where mistakes cannot be corrected, which often discourages artists from attempting it. Despite this, Art X on Glass AG embraces the challenge and is committed to reviving the beauty and uniqueness of this form. Some critics initially questioned its artistic value, arguing that true art must be on canvas. But the company stands firmly behind the belief that art is not limited by medium.

For Art X on Glass AG, art is a reflection of the soul, no matter the material used. Through its work, the company not only creates beautiful and original pieces but also challenges perceptions and encourages greater tolerance for new forms of artistic expression.

In conversation with Miriam Schnyder, Founder and CEO of Art X on Glass AG

Your artworks, such as Farbigkeit and Dark City, are described as “emotional responses” to themes like love or despair. How do you translate abstract emotions into tangible glass art, and what techniques ensure longevity (e.g., 6mm tempered glass)?

Every glass has two sides. We paint from one side of glass, but to watch on it we do from another side. We need to think mirrored. It is a very special kind of “art doing”. Already this kind of art offers this “exciting moment”. The next component of this “exciting moment” is - paintings are the mirror of our soul. Our feelings, our eyes and ears are the painter, not only our hands.

We work with 6mm tempered glass. This glass will be used to produce the walls in the kitchen and in the bathroom. The glass is sustainable, inert and beautiful.

Sustainability is critical in art and design. How do you source materials like tempered glass and acrylics, and what steps are taken to minimize environmental impact while preserving artistic integrity?

Every material we use in our daily life needs to be produced. It is important that the production, delivery and disposal of this material does not disturb our environment. Three of “my” artists are coming from glass industry and they master the processes of glass production.

Your portfolio features artists like Eirini Stefanaki and Miriam Schnyder. How do you curate and collaborate with artists to maintain diversity in styles while staying true to the brand’s ethos of “courageous color use”?

Our portfolio grew up. Today we have artworks of 7 artists from four different countries: Eirini Stefanaki, Miriam Schnyder, Veronika Gisler, Monika Prochazka, Miroslav Prochazka, Miro Sidlik, Marian Sidlik – every artist has his / her past; has his / her perception of reality.  This diversity allowed us to ensure a variety of ideas and of motif.

Pricing ranges from CHF 170 to CHF 1,250 per piece. How do you balance affordability with the exclusivity of hand-painted art, ensuring accessibility without compromising artistic value?

In the coming days we will open our first online shop, where people from all over the world can buy our artworks. We are meaning that the artwork does not belong only to museums; we deserve to have a small piece of art at our home too. To have the glass in the bathroom like artwork or the glass` wall in the kitchen? Our idea is that everybody should have the opportunity to have the artwork from Art X on Glass in his / her home. The pricing range allowed this.

The pricing range arises from the variety of formats of artwork. Our smallest artwork in online shop is in a format 10 cm x 10 cm, the biggest artwork has format 100 cm x 100 cm. Hand-painted art is how another kind of hand art not affordable; in the moment, when emotions, ideas, dreams are “in a game”, in this moment is artwork not affordable, because this artwork is a part of soul, a part of human being. From the economic side, such business is not very lucrative. But every coin has two sides. Another side of this business is to make people happy. To make people happy with our behind glass painting. When people understand what behind glass painting is, when they see, the sunshine is shining on their glass` artwork and inwardly they smile, then the mission was possible (smile).

Interior design is highly personal. How does Art X on Glass AG guide clients in selecting pieces that align with their spaces, such as Majorelle Blue for minimalist rooms or Feuerkuss for bold statements?

Art X on Glass AG offers both – artwork as decoration and artwork as design. Under design we present our round glasses with a diameter of 30cm and our rectangle, which we used as decoration on the table. We sell the coffee table with glass plate and offer the furniture with our behind glass painting. The borders for glass are unlimited.

What does the future hold for your company and its customers? Are exciting things on the way?

As I mentioned, in the coming days our first online shop will be starting. Daily we improve our technique of painting, we are looking for new tints and new materials, we work with gold leaf, and we develop new furniture, where the main material behind glass painting is.

In Mai 2025 we have some expositions, f.e. private Vernissage in Zürich, we will be a part of Gonet Geneva Open 2025 and of Art International Zürich. In the second half of the year, we have some interesting expositions too.

For more info visit:www.artxonglass.com

“We work with 6mm tempered glass. This glass will be used to produce the walls in the kitchen and in the bathroom. The glass is sustainable, inert and beautiful.”