Petr Zlámal

From 1968 to 1974, I studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague in Professor Arnošt Paderlík’s studio of monumental painting. My studies were a pivotal period for me, during which I not only mastered the technical fundamentals but also developed my own perspective on artistic creation. After graduating, I received four scholarships from the Ministry of Culture, and several of my paintings were included in state collections and exhibited in Prague galleries.

After completing my studies, I returned to my hometown of Šternberk and decided to pursue a career as a freelance artist. In the early days, I made a living primarily through commissions in the field of applied arts and architectural projects, but the focus of my work has always been on painting. I have been holding solo exhibitions since 1971. I have had the opportunity to present my work not only in Czechoslovakia but also in Italy and Germany. Since 1977, I have participated in group exhibitions both at home and abroad, for example in Poland, Italy, Germany, Venezuela, and the United States. I value my paintings not only as personal statements but also because they have found a place in private collections in the Czech Republic and abroad, as well as in the collections of the Olomouc Museum of Art and the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic. From 1974 to 1991, I was a member of the Union of Czech Visual Artists, and since 1990 I have been a member of the Union of Visual Artists of the Olomouc Region. A very important chapter in my life was the organization of international painting symposia in Šternberk from 1992 to 1995. During these gatherings, approximately 120 artists from various corners of the world took part. This gave rise to many friendships, creative collaborations, and sources of inspiration, which subsequently led to exhibitions not only in the Czech Republic but also in Italy, Germany, Austria, and South Africa.

From the very beginning, I have been interested in people—their relationship to nature, technology, and other people. In my paintings, I strive to capture the feelings I consider essential to life: peace, harmony, balance, closeness, and love. I also frequently return to the theme of the relationship between men and women, because I consider interpersonal relationships to be one of the greatest values in our lives.

I am drawn to the poetics of Group 42 as well as the traditions of Central European and German Expressionism. I am fascinated by time—its passage, its changeability, and the traces it leaves within us. In my work, I therefore often reflect on parental love, our relationship to the landscape, or how to nurture and protect emotional bonds between people.For me, every painting tells a story of its own. Sometimes I capture a specific situation; other times, it’s more of a mood or a memory. However, I always strive to translate my thoughts and experiences into the language of art in such a way that viewers can find their own experiences reflected in them.

Throughout my artistic career, drawing has remained the foundation of my work. For me, it is the most important means of expression and the foundation of every painting. Over the years, I have found my way to large formats, which give me the freedom to fully develop the story, emotion, and spatial dimensions of the painting.