Painter and collagist Václav Buchtelík was born in 1990 in Karviná and is one of the most important representatives of the youngest generation of painters in the Czech Republic, whose works are highly sought after by gallerists and collectors alike. Buchtelík first graduated from the Secondary Art School in Ostrava, with a focus on applied painting under Aleš Hudeček. He then studied painting from 2010-2015 at the Faculty of Arts of the University of Ostrava in the studio of Painting I, under the guidance of Professor Daniel Balabán. He has already had a number of solo and group exhibitions.
In his painting expression, Václav Buchtelík focuses on personal "myth" and uses symbols to express his experiences, which are very important for his functioning in the medium of painting. The subject of Buchtelík's paintings is often various forms of anxiety or terror, the other side of human existence or the ambivalent atmosphere in society. The latter is represented through scenes where the artist places figures on a demonic background, full of clouds of smoke and erupting volcanoes, which give an uninvolved, almost calm and serene impression. In this way, a society (in Buchtelík's paintings it is often a socialist society) is figuratively depicted looking paralysed towards the destructive forces. This contrast of anxiety and calm, together with the ambiguity of the scenes, the mere hints and references, creates the inner tension that is so appealing in Buchtelík's paintings.
Let's start right from the beginning. How do you start the day? Do you have a ritual?
I come to the studio, have a coffee, have a cigarette and look at the internet. It used to be that I would go and play the drums and the guitar.
Do you paint to music?
Yes, I listen to metal, but I'm not an orthodox black metal guy. I also listen to Eminem. But my favourite band is Meshuggah from Sweden and there are days when I work in complete silence.
Let's go even further. The very beginning. Did anyone in your family inspire you to become an artist?
No family, but the influence of my best friend Eva Konstantinidis. She was applying to art high school in Ostrava and when she was preparing for the admission process, there were still lifes everywhere. Charming. Then I started to go to a preparatory school with the painter Renata Filipová in Petrovice near Karviná. She introduced me to the works of watercolourists such as Otakar Baran, Rudolf Žebrok and Franciszek Świder.
Does your family support you?
The family goes to exhibition openings. My wife Andrea is a sculptor, so we support each other.
Did you focus on the studio itself when choosing a school? Did you also consider going abroad?
I followed in the footsteps of my best friend EI to the studio of Professor Daniel Balabán.
In one of the journals on the Telegraph website we learned about you and the themes of your work. I'm curious though, given that your work is being shown alongside the New Positions in British Painting exhibition - do you have any relationship to European painting? Are you familiar with the work of British artists?
Justin Mortimer is an unquestionable artist and certainly Caroline Walker. Caroline is a consistent, excellent painter with an excellent painterly shorthand, almost Manet-like. Dexter Dalwood is also excellent, taking a collage-like approach to the form. And, lest I forget, Jonathan Wateridge. And from history, the legend Francis Bacon. Next, from the European school - Neo Rauch from Leipzig is a giant for me. I also enjoy the Romanian school from Cluj, such as Adrian Ghenie, Marius Bercea and Radu Baies.
Art and Happiness. How do you perceive it?
For me, happiness is some higher power that allows us to move on and clears the sticks under our feet... That power is mutable. I've experienced great happiness in my life, but also great unhappiness, it's relative.
Life also brings a certain mystique. Has anything happened in your life that would point to paranormal phenomena, drama in the studio or at a show?
I experienced drama when my painting was stolen - a collage from the Absinthe Forest Club. All that was left was a nail on the wall. There was also a photo of me pointing my finger at the empty space. I will mention the fact that when I was inspired by a triptych by a well-known artist, I planted the telltale smoke and tornadoes in the painting. At the time, a tornado had just passed through Moravia, so I believe I did not summon it.
How do you spend your time outside the studio?
I play drums in a band called Tilikum. We do instrumentals without vocals, in the direction of noise rock. We have played various places in the Czech Republic, but also in Slovakia. Outside of the studio I like to spend time with my wife, with friends, newly I play tennis. I also sometimes install various exhibitions, I'm quite a technical type.
Do you have anything new going on or what's coming up? Have you thought about a residency as well?
After the show with my wife in Vrchlabí we are taking a break. Until the end of the year we are planning a group exhibition in Szczecin, Poland. From the region next year there will be an exhibition in the new city gallery in Karviná. I will also have an exhibition with Jakub Tomáš in Hodonín. I would also like to try a residency. I liked the residency in Leipzig, in the city of contemporary painting.
By Michal Vallo
