Fine Slovak Graphic Artworks

Among the thirty-six Slovak artists exhibiting their graphic art at the Wisma Kebudayaan SGM from March 8 to 16, 2008 was the master painter Albín Brunovský (1935-1997), one of the most significant Slovak graphic artists and illustrators of the end of the 20th century.

Typical in his work is the merging of fantasy and reality, while using the poetics of imaginative realism, occasionally marked by irony. The artist was also active in the field of stamp art and has designed several Czechoslovak banknotes.

The fragmented figures portrayed in his work are often intentionally deformed in a quest for the synthesis of the human mind and body, and humans’ relationship with nature or with the universe. Figures portrayed in dream-like gardens express his quest for harmony, balance and serenity, in an ideal vision of the world. It must be noted that most of these artworks were so fine that to fully appreciate them required the use of a magnifying glass. Slovak Republic Ambassador Milan Lajciak said that although many great painters in Malaysia employ different techniques, they rarely used lithography and etching. He added that the exhibition was brought to Malaysia so that locals, especially the youths, could appreciate the beauty and finesse of this art.

Also featured in the exhibition was Slovak renowned artists Ondrej Rudavský, Maja Dusíková and Ivan Kovacik. There were altogether 109 artworks which included a small but ambitious work etched on a stone before the printing on paper.

The works had previously travelled to Indonesia and Taiwan before coming to Malaysia. They were also scheduled to be displayed at the Malaysian Institute of Art and the Shah Alam Gallery before going to India.