The Pilgrim

The Pilgrim, 2013

mixed media

70 x 60 x 60 cm

The Pilgrim – the statue of the Pilgrim was created on the basis of earlier work with the structure, which should enhance the dynamics and compositional solution of the whole statue. The starting point was partial work on a competition design for a statue – a memorial to Nikola Tesla in Prague (joint work with Michal Šmeral – although the work succeeded in the competition, it was not realized). The original structures of stainless steel tubes with sharp bends in the study of Nikola Tesla’s statue were replaced here by dynamic spirals that symbolize the energy but also the boundedness of the walking figure of the pilgrim. The pilgrim walks through the nine circles of hell (a partial inspiration of Dante’s Inferno) and despite his ideals and determination, he is constantly sucked and bound by powerful darkness.

Will-o’-the-wisp

Will-o'-the-wisp, 2013

polyester, stainless steel, steel, acrylate

230 x 190 x 56 cm

Private collection

Will-o’-the-wisp – a sculpture belonging to the theme of fairies, similar to the Little Mermaid. It was based on a small sculpture of the same name made in 2012 thanks to a private investor (a bronze version was also made with his support). Compositionally, the sculpture is based on a yoga position called Bakasana, but this time it is also modified and shifted position and is not a mere illustration. The statue of Will-o’-the-wisp is understood here as a form of a restless supernatural being who tries to seduce the pilgrim from the right path by his appearance and form.

The Virtue Of Virtues

The Virtue of Virtues, 2012

polyester, fiberglass, acrylic, stainless steel

figure in life size

Private investor

The Virtue of Virtues – figure is in life size. The statue is based on a yoga posture called Gomukha Asana, or cowgirl pose – also sometimes called the female posture. It is a modified version of the gently floating figure – again resting on three points – the knee of the left leg and the little toes of both feet. The sculpture was several years in the making, and twice, by unfortunate accident (and by someone else’s fault), the work was completely destroyed in the making of the sculpture. On the third attempt to make the sculpture in clay, I began to think about realizing this sculpture in stone. Thanks to a private investor this realization finally happened (2013). The whole process of the work taught me patience and, above all, humility, which is why I eventually gave this work the title Virtue of Virtues (St. Thomas Aquinas considered humility a virtue of virtues).