Artist Statement
My art is rooted in folk literature and ancient beliefs. It utilizes less conventional structures of knowledge that mediate the physical and metaphysical realms such as eastern philosophies, mythology, and folk-tales. I strive to visually communicate these concepts.
My work is visually minimal and process oriented, where the repetition of rhythmic and tedious movements allows both grounding and meditation. I use primarily drawing and intermedia to explore such themes as liminality, altered states of consciousness, nature of our reality, and human culture as understood from within.
I am especially interested in projects that build on participatory aesthetics where emphasis is placed on the active role of the viewer in the realization and reception of the work.
Curriculum Vitae
Education:
MFA in Drawing and Intermedia, University of Alberta (2008)
BFA with Great Distinction, University of Lethbridge (2004)
BA/Ed in Slovak Language and Literature, University of Novi Sad (1995)
Solo Exhibitions:
2021 - Lines and Void, The Project Space Gallery, Casa Arts Centre, Lethbridge, AB
2019 - Trash Talk, Galerija Mira Brtka, Stara Pazova, Serbia. (publication)
2018 - Trash Talk, Galerija SULUV, Novi Sad, Serbia. (publication)
2016 - The Trash Talk, Helen Christou Gallery, University of Lethbridge
2015 - Reverie, Multicultural Centre Public Art Gallery, Stony Plain, AB
2014 - White Labyrinth (finding the thread of the hero-path), CASA Gallery, Lethbridge
2014 - Back to Vienna, Gem of the West Museum, Coaldale, AB
2012 - Intonations, Galéria Zuzky Medveďovej, Báčsky Petrovec, Serbia. (publication)
2010 - At the other side of beyond, Trianon Gallery, Lethbridge. (publication)
2009 - Reverie, Joan Waterfield Gallery, Yates Memorial Centre, Lethbridge
2008 - Here and Beyond, Graduate Thesis Exhibition, FAB Gallery, University of Alberta
2005 - Enchanted, Joan Waterfield Gallery, Yates Memorial Centre, Lethbridge
2004 - Once upon a Time in Vienna… (Beethoven in Love), Le Petit Trianon, Lethbridge
2004 - Blown Away, Gallery Potempkin, Lethbridge
2003 - In Search of Poetry, McCain Gallery, Coaldale Public Library, Coaldale, AB
Performances and Exhibitions with M.E.D.I.U.M.:
2017 - Trumpet, Latitude 53, Edmonton, AB
2014 - MEDIUM, Nuit Blanche Calgary
2013 - The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters, Noxious Sector Projects, Seattle, WA, USA
2013 - SEERious Sideshow, performance as part of Dr. Soanes' Odditorium of Wonders, University of Lethbridge Art Gallery. (catalogue)
2013 - M.E.D.I.U.M Band, South Country Fair, Fort Macleod, AB
2013 - Seerious Business, exhibition based on performances, Trianon Gallery, Lethbridge. The exhibition included three performance events – two Seerious Business shows and a Séance
2012 - Phantasma-gloria II, Owl Acoustic Lounge, Lethbridge
2012 - The SEERious Sideshow, M:ST Performative Art Festival, Calgary
2012 - Psychic Fair, M:ST Performative Art Festival Society, EMMEDIA Gallery & Production Society, Calgary
2011 - Phantasma-gloria, Owl Acoustic Lounge, Lethbridge
Selected Group Exhibitions:
2022 - Grafika Vojvodinských Slovákov, 4SE Marina, Belgrade, Serbia (catalogue)
2022 - Heavy Metal, Casa Arts Centre, Lethbridge, AB
2022 - Korene 8, Ústav pre Kultúru Vojvodinských Slovákov, Novi Sad, Serbia (calatogue, price)
2021 - Attentive Gestures: works by Nishiki Sugawara-Beda, Toni Best, and Maria Z. Madacky, College of the Sequoias Art Gallery, Visalia, CA, USA
2021 - 16. Bienále Slovenských Výtvarníkov v Srbsku, Galéria Zuzky Medveďovej, Báčsky Petrovec, Serbia. (catalogue)
2021 - Inside-Out, Rotary Square, Casa Arts Centre, Lethbridge, AB
2020 - 6. Bienále Kysáčskych Akademických Výtvarných a Úžitkových Umelcov, Galéria SND, Kysáč, Serbia. (catalogue)
2020 - Savremena likovna umetnost Slovaka u Srbiji, Galerija 73, Belgrade, Serbia. (catalogue)
2020 - Korene 5, Muzej Srema, Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia (catalogue)
2019 - Stála Expozícia Súčasného Výtvarného Umenia Slovákov v Srbsku,Galéria K. M. Lehotského, Realgymnasium, Bácsky Petrovec, Serbia. (catalogue)
2019 - 15. Bienále Slovenských Výtvarníkov v Srbsku, Galéria Zuzky Medveďovej, Báčsky Petrovec, Serbia. (catalogue)
2018 - Korene 4, Galeria Mira Brtková, Stará Pazova, Serbia. (catalogue)
2018 - Bienále Kysáčskych Akademických Umelcov, Galéria Slovenského Národného Domu, Kysáč, Serbia. (catalogue)
2018 - Works from Collection, Ústav pre Kultúru Vojvodinských Slovákov, Novi Sad, Serbia
2017 - 14. Bienále Slovenských Výtvarníkov v Srbsku, Galéria Zuzky Medveďovej, Báčsky Petrovec, Serbia. (catalogue)
2017 - Koreni 3, Galerija Centra za Kulturu, Stara Pazova, Serbia. (catalogue)
2016 - Malý Formát 2016, Galerija Rajka Mamuzića, Novi Sad, Serbia. (catalogue)
2016 - Bienále Kysáčskych Akademických a Úžitkových Umelcov, Galéria Slovenského Národného Domu, Kysáč, Serbia. (calalogue)
2015 - Koreni na malom formatu, works on paper, Galerija Rajka Mamuzića, Novi Sad, Serbia. (catalogue) 2015 - Brain Storms: UAlberta Creates, The University of Alberta Museums, Enterprise Square Galleries, Edmonton, AB
2013/2014 - They Made A Day Be A Day Here, guest curated by Amy Fung, Art Gallery of Grande Prairie, Grande Prairie, AB; Mendel Art Gallery, Saskatoon, SK; School of Art Gallery, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB. (catalogue)
2013 - Transitions & Transformations, Inaugural Exhibition at CASA Gallery, Lethbridge
2013 - Izložba Novoprimljenih Članova, Galerija ULUV, Novi Sad, Serbia. (catalogue)
2012 - Bienále Kysáčskych Akademických Umelcov, Galéria SND, Kysáč, Serbia. (catalogue)
2012 - The New Alberta Contemporaries, Inaugural Exhibition at Esker Foundation Gallery, Calgary. (catalogue)
2012 - Notebook, Helen Christou Gallery, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge
2011 - Salon d’Automne, Waterfield Gallery, Yates Memorial Centre, Lethbridge
2010 - Výstava Kysáčskych Výtvarníkov, Galéria SND, Kysáč, Serbia. (publication)
2010 - Making It Big In Lethbridge, Bowman Arts Centre, Lethbridge
2010 - The Baggage Show, Old Paramount Theatre Building, Lethbridge
2009 - 10. Bienále Slovenských Výtvarníkov v Srbsku, Galéria Zuzky Medveďovej, Báčsky Petrovec, Serbia. (catalogue)
2009 - 1000 CC, Trap\door Artist Run Centre Members Show, Bowman Arts Centre, Lethbridge
2009 - Ruin and Reclamation, The Old Singer Clothing Store, Lethbridge. (publication)
2008/2009 - Wave 2008: Blurring Boundaries, International exhibition of staff and student work from five international art and design programs, Fine Arts Building Gallery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB and Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea. (catalogue)
2008 - Real, Art Gallery of Alberta, Edmonton
2008 - Výstava Kysáčskych Výtvarníkov, Festivál Zlatá Brána, Kysáč, Serbia. (publication)
2008 - Re-drawing the Line, Art Gallery of Alberta, Edmonton. (catalogue)
2007 - 9. Bienále Slovenských Výtvarníkov v Srbsku, Galéria Zuzky Medveďovej, Báčsky Petrovec, Serbia. (catalogue)
2007 - Diversity 2007, VAAA Gallery, Edmonton
2007 - M: 19, Harcourt House Arts Centre, Edmonton
2007 - Free for All, Art Gallery of Alberta, Edmonton
2007 - Visual Thinking, Art Gallery of Alberta, Edmonton
2006 - Art for Hire, Harcourt House Arts Centre, The Works International Visual Arts Festival
2006 - Fast Forward 2006, Fine Arts Building Gallery, University of Alberta
2005 - The Farmhouse Project, Site Specific Installation, West of Brooks, AB
2005 - Highway 3 Connections, Trianon Gallery, Lethbridge and Crowsnest Pass Art Gallery, Blairmore, AB
2005 - All You Can Art, Harcourt House Arts Centre, The Works International Visual Arts Festival
2005 - (Wide)Open House, Gallery Potempkin, Lethbridge
2004-2007 - Grassroots - a Centennial Exhibition of Art from Communities Across Southern Alberta, Alberta Foundation for the Arts Traveling Exhibition. (catalogue)
2004 - Night of 1000 Drawings, Artists Space, New York, NY, USA
2004 - The Diversity of Don’s Art Biases, University of Lethbridge Art Gallery
2003 - Lethbridge Perspectives, Bowman Art Centre, Lethbridge
2002 - Downtown Lethbridge, Bowman Art Centre, Lethbridge (award)
Public Presentations, Workshops and Lectures:
2018 - Presentation with workshop, Cultivating Connections: Museums and the Environment, Alberta Museums Association Conference, Canmore, AB
2018 - Presentation with workshop, Galerija SULUV, Novi Sad, Serbia
2017 - Workshop, Level 2: Lichen Lab, You Are Here: an interdisciplinary workshop and knowledge mobilization project, University of Lethbridge Art Gallery
2017 - Presenter, Meeting of the Minds, Interdisciplinary Graduate Conference, University of Lethbridge
2016 - Lecture in Art Now, University of Lethbridge
2014 - Artist Talk, ACAD, Calgary
2014 - Artist Talk, Salon 112, Calgary
2008 - Presentation, Fine Arts Building Art Gallery, University of Alberta, Edmonton
2008 - Presentation, Art Gallery of Alberta, Edmonton
2007 - Panel, 9. Bienále Slovenských Výtvarníkov v Srbsku, Galéria Zuzky Medveďovej, Báčsky Petrovec, Serbia
2007 - Presentation, Sociology Graduate Conference, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
2005 - Workshop, Lethbridge Artist Club, Lethbridge
2004 - Presentation, Jennie Emery Elementary School, Coaldale, AB
2003 - Presentation, R. I. Baker Middle School, Coaldale, AB
2003 - Workshop, Southern Alberta Art Gallery, Lethbridge
Public Collections:
Múseum Vojvodinských Slovákov, Bácsky Petrovec, Serbia
University of Alberta Museum and Collections, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Ústav pre Kultúru Vojvodinských Slovákov, Novi Sad, Serbia
Galéria K. M. Lehotského, Realgymnasium, Bácsky Petrovec, Serbia
Lethbridge Regional Hospital, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
Coaldale Public Library, Coaldale, AB, Canada
Awards:
2022 - Korene 8 Exhibition Art Price
2021 - Alberta Foundation for the Arts Individual Project Grant
2016 - Alberta Foundation for the Arts Individual Project Grant
2012 - Alberta Foundation for the Arts Project Grant
2010 - Canada Council for the Arts Project Grant
2008 - Alberta Advanced Education and Technology Graduate Student Scholarship
2007 - Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship
2007 - J. Gordin Kaplan Graduate Student Award
2007 - Melba Sadler Graduate Scholarship in Art and Design
2007 - Faculty of Art and Design Department SKITCH Grant
2007 - Graduate Studies Professional Development Grant
2006 - SSHRC – Canada Graduate Scholarship, Master’s Award
2006 - Walter H. Johns Graduate Fellowship
2003 - Academic Merit Scholarship
2002 - Czechoslovak Canadian Cultural Society Scholarship
Professional Appointments:
2022 - Sessional Lecturer, Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Lethbridge
2019 - 2020 - Research Assistant, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Lethbridge
2019 - 2020 - Research Assistant, Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Lethbridge
2018 - Co-curator, Art + People = X Series, University of Lethbridge Art Gallery
2013 - 2019 - Public Programmer, University of Lethbridge Art Gallery
2013 - 2015 - Figure Drawing Studio Facilitator, CASA Arts Centre, Lethbridge
2012 - Curator, The Sublime, Rutherford Library South Atrium, University of Alberta
2011 - Founding Member of M.E.D.I.U.M. Performative Arts Collective
2009 - 2011 – Board, Secretary and Membership Coordinator, Trap\door Artist Run Centre
2009 - Membership Committee, Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge
2008 - 2012 - Sessional Instructor, Department of Art and Design, University of Alberta
2008 - Curator, Students Drawing Exhibition, Showcase Gallery, Fine Arts Building, University of Alberta
2007 - Research Assistant, Fine Arts Building Gallery, University of Alberta
2007 - Teaching Assistant, Department of Art and Design, University of Alberta
2005 - Selection Jury, Nika Yuko Japanese Gardens, Bowman Arts Centre, Lethbridge
2005 - Adjudicator, Art Competition, Cardston August Art Market, Cardston
2005 - Selection Jury, Carmangay District Art Fair, Carmangay
2005 - Selection Jury, Lethbridge Landscape, Bowman Arts Centre, Lethbridge
2004 - 2006 - Administrative Assistant to Financial Director, Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge
2004 - Co-curator, Borders, McCain Gallery, Coaldale Public Library and Sterling Mutuals Financial Inc., Lethbridge
2004 - Board Member, Trap\door Artist Run Centre