IN.FOCUS | CZECH PRINTMAKING
"In.Focus | Czech Printmaking' was a spring immersion into the realm of Czech printmaking. A series of events hosted in New York City accompanied the exhibition of fine art prints entitled ‘The Spiritual Dimension in Czech Printmaking’, exhibited at the gallery of Manhattan Graphics Center. The exhibition featured over thirty exquisite works of renowned Czech printmakers from the HOLLAR Association of Czech Graphic Artists in Prague.
'The Spiritual Dimension in Czech Printmaking' offered a meditative insight into the soul of Czech artists while showcasing the beauty of craftsmanship and tradition in Central European printmaking. Eleven printmakers presented their prints - etchings, aquatints, drypoints, lithographs, linocuts and mixed media works - with different approach to spirituality. Some artists were more direct, relating to the biblical themes of the Old and New Testaments. Most of the works, however, dwelled deep in the realm of the inner-self, drawing inspiration from nature.
The participating artists, whose works are in many European and US public and private collections and who have received numerous national and international awards, were (in alphabetical order): Karel Demel, Eva Haskova, Helena Horalkova, Jan Kavan, Marketa Kralova, Alena Laufrova, Pavel Piekar, Miroslav Posvic, Hana Storchova, Pavel Sukdolak and Nadezda Synecka.
Curator of the exhibition Alena Laufrova:
"The exhibition does not aspire to be – and cannot be – representative of contemporary Czech printmaking as a whole. Yet it allows a showcase of the works of eleven Czech printmakers, the HOLLAR Association members, who, with other members, significantly contribute to the important position of printmaking in Czech society and have substantially influenced Czech printmaking. A number of the HOLLAR Association printmakers have represented Czech (and Slovak) printmaking in Europe as well as worldwide. They are artists whose works may be characterized by quality content and artistic value combined with outstanding technical expertise and skills. They show respect for traditional printmaking techniques and deliberately follow in the footsteps of their predecessors."
The exhibition presented only a small number of works created by members of the HOLLAR Associaton of Czech Graphic Artists, a non-profit organization located in Prague with a long-standing tradition in fine art printmaking. It was founded in 1917 and named after a great Bohemian Baroque draftsman, engraver and printmaker Wenceslaus Hollar (Václav Hollar) who lived most of his creative life in London, appointed a teacher of drawing to the Prince of Wales (later King Charles II).
Visit our Photo Gallery to check images from the exhibition, its opening and accompanying public program.
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