Ľudmila Žilková is a visual artist and glass designer based in Northern Bohemia, who combines craftsmanship with artistic vision. In her work, she experiments with shapes, light and textures, connecting functional design with fine art to create pieces that balance on the edge of aesthetics and functionality.
She studied product design at the Faculty of Architecture in Bratislava. After her studies, she worked for a company specializing in lighting, glass sculptures and installations. During residencies in Shanghai, Dubai and New York, she collaborated with interior and architectural studios on unique projects for both private and public spaces.
Since 2020, she has been working as an independent lighting designer while developing her own studio brand, MILA ZILA, which offers a unique product line. Collections of drinkware, vases and lighting combine traditional craftsmanship with an unconventional approach to design. Each piece carries a signature – a sense of detail, purity of form and an element of surprise. She also focuses on bespoke artistic projects ranging from furniture to interior solitaires, spatial installations and sculptural works, all crafted in close dialogue with the surrounding space.
I see glass as a living material—it is meant to be understood, not controlled. It breathes, responds to its surroundings, follows the rhythm of light, and is pulled by gravity. Each piece is the result of an intuitive process, where the energy of hands, the power of fire, the material, and the idea behind it come together. I work with the tension between the material itself and the form we assign to it, between stability and constant transformation, to create works that not only shape space but also the way we perceive it.
My approach reflects a deep respect for craftsmanship passed down through generations. I believe in the value of precise detail and local, sustainable production that preserves the soul of the material and the stories of those who shape it. My work does not follow trends—it focuses on depth, timelessness, and an authentic dialogue between space, material, light, and the human experience.
