AS IS | Vojtěch Horálek

Artist

From Prague, Czechia

Based in Stará Boleslav, Central Bohemian Region, Czechia

Despite Vojtěch Horálek being a member of the younger generation of artists, he remains surprisingly loyal to the traditional approach to painting. Similarly, he doesn't put his art online and only presents it at exhibitions and other opportunities to view it in person. He draws inspiration from his personal experience, often reflecting on his travels among other cultures in his paintings.

A: Please, tell us a bit more about yourself. How did you get into art?

V: I don't want to just say "as a little boy," but yes, painting and drawing have been a part of my life since my birth. I come from an artistic family, my father a painter and mother a graphic designer. My dad died prematurely and his paintings have been accompanying me my whole life. Mom is a great graphic designer and I think I've taken after both of them.

A: What inspires you the most?

V: My greatest source of inspiration is life in all its glory.

A: Do you have any specific rituals while working (creating)?

V: Rituals keep you from working. When I'm in my studio, I try to make good use of my time there. Most importantly, I need a cup of coffee.

A: What would you recommend to someone new to art (an artist or just anadmirer), what to begin with?

V: I'd recommend doing something entirely different to the beginner artist, and if they can't help it, to completely immerse themselves in art. Get dirty, hurt yourself inside and out, become acquainted with contempt as well as admiration, and then they'll see. Maybe they'll get lucky.

A: Your Top 3 adjectives related to art?

V: Art description is not something I'm interested in which is why I communicate through the artwork. Plus I'm strictly against using terms and phrases in the art world.

A: Do you have favorite Czech artists?

V: Yes, I have many favorites from the Czech domain. They're usually artists-solitaires who stood out of the mainstream, for example Josef Váchal, Jan Zrzavý, Josef Sudek, Vladimír Boudník, Věra Janoušková, Josef Hlinomaz, and other naïve artists, the Vála sisters, Vít Soukup.

A: What piece of art do you think embodies the Czech national spirit and culture?Why?

V: If I look back into the history of Czech art, I'd probably choose the Venus of Dolní Větsonice, Chapel of the Holy Cross at the Karlštejn Castle, Braun's Kuks, Kupka's Amorpha: Fugue in Two Colors, Zdeněk Pešánek's plastic artwork for Edison's station. I'm not going to mention contemporary art, that's yet to be decided by time.

A: The perfect way to have a conversation about art is: ...?

V: It's usually about a specific exhibition or artist, and it's best had at a pub.

A: Where can we meet you?

V: If possible, I spent most of my time in my studio in Vinohrady, but the best way to clear my head is during physical labor in the garden or the construction site.

A: Please, share your favorite quote (not necessarily related to art)

V: Art isn't fun, but to do it, I need to be having fun.

Thank you!

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