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07.12.2011 Q&A with Ondřej Oliva
Ondřej Oliva graduated from the Studio of Sculpture ofFine Arts in Prague under the guidance of painter Jaroslav Róna. He attended the symposium sympozia I semana del marmol in Spain, where he also exhibited his work. In his work, he focuses on objects with modern and ingenious design. Ondřej placed second in a competition of design a fountain for the Černošice city.
Q: What was the ultimate breakthrough moment in your career?
A: I don’t think I’ve experienced a specific breakthrough moment that would make me who I am now. I think it’s the little things that have been a part of me since my childhood. For example, when I was 16, I went to Rome with my father and we saw incredible things, things that were centuries old but at the same time, they were somehow alive; then there was visiting the Louvre or attending the sculpting conference in Turkey. Or the feeling I have when I finish something new, or these few minutes after a preview of an exhibition where I display some of my creations. I think that these are the moments that truly make me believe in what I do and they give me the necessary push forward. But I’m really looking forward to the true breakthrough moment!
A: I have no idea what my colleagues think about this but if I suffer, it’s mostly because of the lack of time. I have been busy finishing my first independent exhibition for the past 6 months, I have been consulting technological processes with several companies. I’m planning more projects next year and I also do some minor commissions in order to make ends meet. And I plan on doing some cross-country skiing and spending some time in the mountains this upcoming winter. As an active member of the SVC, I also go surfing several times a year.
A: I’m not sure I’d like to try it but I’d definitely do things differently. I have no idea if my approach to my art would change in any way but I would definitely plan and ponder the execution of each object in advance. If I were a female artist, I would definitely NOT create a statue and then, after it was finished, completely with all the final modification, find out that it’s too big to get through the door of my studio!
