Samuel Chovanec

My name is Samuel Chovanec and I was born in the small village of Sveržov, which is located not far from the town of Bardejov. Since I was a little boy I had a great interest in fine arts. Even as a child I spent hours drawing and improving my pencil drawing skills. At the age of five, I started attending the private Kesel Primary Art School in Bardejov, where I developed my artistic skills and got acquainted with various artistic techniques from watercolor and acrylic painting to the graphic technique of linocut. At the Secondary Industrial School in Bardejov I experienced drawing from its technical side, which helped me to better understand scale and perspective. I am currently studying at the Faculty of Architecture and Design in Bratislava, where I have the opportunity to develop my talent in technical drawing as well as in exploring new techniques such as ink drawing, modeling and sculpture.

My work is characterized by a realistic approach with a subtle overlap into abstraction, while I am fascinated by textures and contrasts of light and shadow. In my works I try to translate my feelings, emotions and point out the situations that happen around me, with the aim not to impose my opinion on the observer but to leave it up to his discretion and creativity what attitude he takes towards the work. In 2018 I had the opportunity to exhibit my works among the graduates of the Kesel Art School in Hruba Bašta in Bardejov. The next step on my journey was my first solo exhibition called Postrehy at the Polish-Slovak House in Bardejov. The paintings from this exhibition were re-displayed at the celebrations of the 700th anniversary of the village of Sveržov.