(Tíživá vzpomínka) mixed media (blind embossing, charcoal and pastel), unique, paper 27 1/8" x 19", signed by the artist
(V hlavě/Tiché rozjímání), mixed media (blind embossing, charcoal and pastel), unique, paper 27 1/2" x 19 1/2", signed by the artist
(Něco z Toyen), mixed media (blind embossing, charcoal and pastel),unique, paper 19 3/8" x 27 1/2", signed by the artist
(Harmonická dvojice), mixed media (blind embossing, charcoal, pastel), unique, paper 27 1/8" x 19 5/8", signed by the artist
(Sevření), mixed media (blind embossing, charcoal, pastel), unique, paper 27 1/2" x 16"
Alena Laufrova | born 1952 in Prague
„How can I capture the world inside me and the world outside me, the conflict between these worlds, where they overlap or merge? I deal with this “inner landscape“ in my work. It could be the landscape of my feelings, memories and imagination, or a landscape inspired by the real world that resonates within me. Poetry has been my good life-long companion.
For me, printmaking is a way to communicate with myself and with others. It‘s a confession which maps the state of my mind and soul. It contains mystery. What I care about is the simplicity, narrative and, of course, the visual quality of prints. The color is also part of it. It has, or should have, a psychological impact on viewers.“
Biography
Alena Laufrova studied graphic design and illustration with Prof. Zdenek Sklenar in the prominent Academy of Art, Architecture and Design in Prague. She graduated in 1976. Her early works included narrative illustrations for poetry. In 1990s, Laufrova explored the work of Franz Kafka which inspired her large series of fine art prints. She continued in portraiture, and over several years she created a series of fine art prints of important personalities of Czech culture.
Laufrova experiments with traditional methods of intaglio and combines etching, blind embossing and dry point in unique ways. She also creates art books and other works on paper, including pastels. Her work has been selected for many international exhibitions, such as Inter-Art Poznan (Poland), International Mail Art Granada (Spain), International Ex-Libris (Germany), Inter-Kontakt-Grafik (the Czech Republic), in Vilnius, Los Angeles, and others. Laufrova’s work is in permanent collection of the Museum of National Literature in Prague, the Prague National Gallery, The State Hermitage Museum in Petersburg in Russia, or the National Museum in Washington DC.
Laufrova has curated several exhibitions in the Czech Republic and abroad (Poland, Egypt, Netherlands, or UK). She is member of the HOLLAR Association of Czech Graphic Artists. Since 1990, Laufrova has been teaching art in Duncan Center in Prague, High School for Art and Design in Plzen, and other schools in the Czech Republic. She has devoted her time to providing art therapy for people with disabilities. Laufrova belongs among the leading contemporary printmakers in the Czech Republic.
Awards (selection)
2009 / Small Print Merit Award, Annual Prints Award, Prague, the Czech Republic
2004 / Best in Intaglio Award, Annual Prints Award, Prague, the Czech Republic
2004 / Best in Small Print Award, Annual Prints Award, Prague, the Czech Republic
2003 / Friends of Ex Libris Society Award, Festival of Small Fin Art Prints, Prague, the Czech Republic