Bernard Heesen is one of the Netherlands' leading glass artists. Originally trained as an architect at Delft University of Technology, he fell in love with the magic of glassblowing. In 1982, he became an assistant to his father, Willem Heesen, who founded the glassblowing studio De Oude Horn in Acquoy in 1977. After assisting him with the production process for several years, Bernard chose to pursue glass art himself in 1986. In 1995, Bernard took over the management of the studio from his father. Heesen's glass objects often have a humorous quality, balancing between utilitarian objects and comical objects meant to be looked at. Heesen's often robust works have a surreal, almost kitschy feel – "I push the boundaries of ornamentation and ugliness," says Heesen. This intense blue tulip vase, commissioned by Heesen for the De Witte Zwaan Foundation, is playful and humorous with its lavish decoration of hanging tulips.