BIRTHDAY
Galerie Kladenského zámku, Kladno
16.12.2022 - 19.02.2023
Sisters Jitka and Květa Válova painted large canvases in their small studios, which later became a respected part of the history of Czech fine arts of the second half of the 20th century. Before that happened, both sisters experienced a long period of lack of interest in their work. At that time, they repainted many paintings, they did not have money for new canvases, they exhibited only rarely and mostly together with members of the Trasa group (with Cestmir Kafka, Olga Cechova, Eva Kmentova, Olbram Zoubek and others). This close generational connection enabled the Valova sisters, only on the recommendation of their colleagues, to create several works in the public space and thus partially solve the difficult financial situation of the Valova sisters.
The concept of the exhibition is planned in several parts. They will present the works of the Valova sisters with a personal story from the private collections of Kladno residents. They sometimes gave their drawings and paintings to friends out of mutual admiration, friendship, or just for cigarettes and a bottle of wine. Quite often they didn't have the money to pay for routine maintenance services in the house. Back then, they offered their canvases or portraits of relatives as settlement of debt for services (painting walls, repairing electricity, repairing radio, water, and others). These paintings with the story of the inhabitants of Kladno are still waiting for their artistic appreciation, these works are completely unknown to the lay and professional public.
Milos Sejn, Being a Parent/s Garden, 2017, acrylic, pencil, pigments, canvas, 30x30 cm
The second part of the exhibition will present the authors who inspired the Valova sisters (in their work, whether through motifs, friendship or their lives). Some authors received an invitation to create a new work (Hommage à Jitka and Kveta Válova) already two years ago. The exhibition will feature paintings, objects and a video dedicated to the duality of the Valova sisters with humility to their exceptional painting work. The invited authors appear at the exhibition together with the works of the Valova sisters, not because of a confrontation, but because of a close encounter and understanding.
guests: Vladimir Havlik, Jirina Hankeova, Michaela Horakova, Magdalena Rajnisova, Adam Rybka, Martina and Pavla Noskova, Milos Sejn, Dagmar Subrtova, Frantisek Tomik, Martin Zet.
Dům Válovek