(Šest fragmentů osudu I.), etching and aquatint on cut out metal plates, edition of 20, image 21 5/8" x 15 3/4", white paper 25 5/8" x 18 3/4", signed by the artist
(Šest fragmentů osudu) etching and aquatint on cut out metal plates, edition of 20, image 23 1/4" x 17 1/2", white paper 25 5/8" x 18 3/4", signed by the artist
etching and aquatint, image 6 3/8" x 6 1/4", white paper 8 1/4" x 11 7/8", signed by the artist
etching and aquatint
etching and aquatint, edition of 40, image 6 7/8" x 8 5/8", white paper 9 3/8" x 12 3/4" paper size, signed by the artist
etching and aquatint, edition of 40, image 5 1/2" x 8 3/4", white paper 9 3/8" x 12 3/4", signed by the artist
(Ze starého alba) etching and aquatint, unique, image 23" x 11 3/4" (three plates), white paper 27 3/8" x 19 1/2", singed by the artist
"„What interests and attracts me is narrative, or let’s say real forms; it’s still about something. I would probably be able to do something abstract, and I did something like that in the past. But it doesn’t satisfy me.
I like variability; overprinting multiple plates is something I have always been attracted to. I was looking for a way to make more use of the plate, even destroy it, after I used it to make regular prints first. So I cut it up. Now I do it on purpose, of course. I broke free from describing: everything happens on paper now, within the paper´s abstract space, and it’s limited only by the paper. The method offers various options to compose an image and create several compositions out of one, and play with it.“"
Jan Kavan | born 1947, Zlin
Curator Alena Laufrova:
Jan Kavan uses the traditional techniques of etching and aquatint. Recently, he has been cutting etched plates into various forms of figures, animals or their individual parts, then arranging them into surprising color compositions. Seemingly unrelated motifs, when overlapping each other, suddenly reveal a new content in his imagery. His prints then become parables of the human fate, firmly connected with the realm of animals.
Jan Kavan is an excellent illustrator with a great sense for composition, and a successful creator of images for postage stamps.
Resume (selection)
> 1962 – 1966 Secondary School of Applied Arts, Prague
> 1966 – 1972 College of Applied Arts, Prague, Master of Fine Arts
> 1997 – 1998 teaching at secondary school of applied arts, Prague
Exhibitions (selection):
1974-1997 numerous awards for ex libris (bookplates)
1974 Book of the Year
Public collections (selection):
National Gallery Prague
Municipal Gallery Prague
Gallery Eremitage, Bayreuth
Galleri F15, Norway