In Blessing, I reflect on my work with St. Nicholas Church in Prague, exploring the intersection of sacred space and introspection. I blend the geometry of stained glass with a face awaiting a blessing. Surface fragmentation simulates light refraction where the figure emerges and fades under layers of color, emphasizing the depth of inner faith and the fleeting nature of the moment.
Bio:
Artistic Identity
Petr Kryštůfek occupies a unique position within contemporary painting, defined as „Post-Constructivist Figuration.“ His work, emerging from the profound tradition of Czech Concrete Art (studios of avant-garde giants Vladislav Mirvald and Zdeněk Sýkora), transforms rigorous geometric systems into an emotive, narrative expression. This duality—order versus emotion—addresses the current discourse in painting, seeking a return to meaningful content beyond pure formalism.
His visual syntax is rooted in Czech Constructivism. While Sýkora explored randomness within order and Mirvald focused on optical illusions, Kryštůfek uses geometric segments as building blocks for the human figure. The figures emerge from abstract color fields not as realistic records, but as a synthesis of visual data. This approach aligns him with the „New Figuration“ movement with strong conceptual overlaps.
Technique: Deconstruction through the Palette Knife
Working primarily with acrylic on canvas applied with a palette knife, Kryštůfek intentionally denies the traditional „calligraphic brushstroke“ of expressionism. This choice results in distinct color fields that evoke digital pixels or architectural blueprints.
He employs a technically demanding process of „layered transparencies.“ By building up semi-transparent surfaces, he creates a sense of physical rather than illusory depth. The viewer observes the „archaeology“ of the painting’s creation. The deliberate absence of fine detail triggers a Gestalt effect, forcing the viewer’s brain to actively reconstruct the subject from the provided visual data.
Solo Exhibition
2025 – Petr Kryštůfek: Paintings, Graphics, and Texts, Fragment Gallery, Prague, Czech Republic.