ABOUT MY WORK

My work is figurative, expressive and narrative and is inspired by stories and themes.

I love watching people, their body language and facial expressions.
I am on lookout for a special moments and situations accompanying every human activity.
Music, dance, theatre and poetry are my important sources of inspiration.
I use my sketchbooks, my books and my CDs as a valuable collection of raw material.
I draw on personal experiences, past and present, with a view to reflect the spontaneity of ordinary human life.

I pinch and coil large earthenware vessels and treat them as my canvases.
I use slips in very painterly way, building layers of colours with slips, oxides and stains.
I am trying to create tension between the outside and inside surface in order to give each piece another dimension.

I make hand built sculptural pieces from clay and porcelain.
I design and make hand cut mosaics and tiles.
My most recent sculptures are carved from Bath stone and Portland stone.

I draw and paint on paper, using ink, dry pastel and watercolour.
I try to combine my artistic skills with my knowledge of human anatomy and soul.

CURRICULUM VITAE

I was born in Prague, Czechoslovakia.
I grew up in Brno, Moravia, where I studied and qualified as a doctor of medicine in 1984.
I started teaching anatomy at Masaryk University in Brno and at the same time I set up my first studio.

In 1985 I moved to London and studied Ceramics at Croydon College of Art & Design.
After graduating I received a Crafts Council Setting-up Grant, which enabled me to start my studio in London.
For ten years I worked as a freelance artist, exhibiting both in England and abroad.

In 1995 I returned to the Czech Republic for three years, teaching English and Anatomy and Morphology for artists.
I also concentrated on developing my drawing and painting skills.

In 1998 I moved back to Britain and since that time I have been living and working in Bristol.
I taught master classes at Cardiff University, colleges in Bath and Bristol, workshops for children and adults.
I was involved with the CIP/Craftspace joint project in Birmingham, teaching women asylum seekers.
I have exhibited in Britain, Europe and USA.
My work is in private and public collections including Musee National de Ceramique, Paris.

I prefer working on a group of pieces linked by a central idea.

I like working towards solo and group exhibitions.

I take commissions and other challenges.

GRANTS AND AWARDS

Crafts Council Setting-Up Grant (1990) Grant for Anatomy and Morphology for Artists with Dr Vladimir Novotny (1997)

Marketing Bursary from South West Arts as a first time exhibitor at Chelsea Craft Fair (1999)

South West Arts and Crafts Award (1999)

South West Arts and Crafts Award (2002)