Year of creation

2026

About project

Collectible objects inspired by the works of Slovak painter Tomáš Žemla.

As part of the joint exhibition Off the Beaten Track at The Chemistry Gallery, five canvases and objects were created in response to the work of the other artist.

Tomáš Žemla chose several of my transparent colored vases, through which he let the light pass – he recorded this moment of light play on his canvases.

I was inspired by his paintings of views of landscapes, fields and forests. I created a petition of objects that at first glance resemble figures known from this environment (Fisherman, Housewife, Farmer, Scarecrow, Poacher).

The objects are carriers not only of the aesthetics and themes based on Tomáš’s paintings, but also my own memories of these places and people are hidden in them. The basis of the objects are hand-blown shapes in pastel colors, which I distorted at the foundry and gave them an asymmetrical form in places (just as life and experienced events leave various scratches in us). The earthy color is comparable to the color of grains, trees, but also to farm products such as corn or eggs, milk, etc. I gave all the objects a matte appearance, the surface of which resembles the structure of agricultural and natural products and at the same time Tomáš’s paintings when touched. Various symbols and objects from my past are then attached to the objects (my father’s knife, my grandfather’s antlers, collected insects, dry crops, sticks, my brother’s moldavite, farm pitchforks and scissors, eggshells, feathers, a fishing rod, etc.). Symbols and objects that evoke various and often strong memories from this environment in me and in observers. At the same time, the composition and symbolism of the objects also hide references to various Czech-Slovak traditions, craft practices and historical ways of farming or living in the countryside.

Tomáš Žemla (*1984) is a very technically skilled and specific painter and graphic artist who has devoted himself exclusively to landscape subjects in recent years. His painting technique is particularly unique, where he projects pointillist finesse, precision, volatility and airiness into the landscape using layered lines. He also strives for minimalism, which is omnipresent. It manifests itself in the choice of modest subjects and their frequent central/axial symmetry. As a graphic artist, he works similarly. However, he also extends his work with paper to the area of ​​experimentation, so that metamorphosed handmade papers or technically diverse diptychs are often created.

Each object is made in only one original.

The objects are part of the Off the Beaten Track exhibition at The Chemistry Gallery, on view until March 1, 2026.

Hall 40, Bubenské nábř. 306/13, 170 00 Prague 7-Holešovice

For more information, please contact me at frantisekjungvirt@gmail.com.