In Forest of Passing, I reflect on solitude and the act of passing each other by, inspired by the atmosphere of the Aokigahara forest. The painting captures a state where people look at each other but do not truly ”see” one another, regardless of time. I utilize layered transparencies to create a forest depth that consumes the figures, blurring the line between day and night. This structure emphasizes physical and spiritual isolation, where figures meet only seemingly within the color layers while remaining alone inside.
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.