Josef Duchan
The pictures by Josef Duchan give us an opportunity to peak into his concept of union of visual work: elements are radically fragmented to tiniest pieces and then integrated back to a super-complex unit. It is a kind of picture moulding by fractal geometry. The elements have rich colour and formal structure but under the flood of detail we can feel more global, freeing big form. We have a feeling as if the formally structured wholeness of the world could be observable not only in detail but also in its comprehensive fullness. The author knows he does not have to tell the usual stories of perception of the world; since the representative role of abstract forms allows him to be free of emotional and epic burden. Although he does not retreat and insists on his view, his pictures have a unique status in the Czech art scene. /doc. PhDr. Jana Ševčíková/
Education
1991-1998 • Academy of Fine Arts, Prague, Czech Republic, Atelir of Graphic Art of Professor Vladimír Kokolia
2006–2009 • Academy of Fine Arts, Prague, Czech Republic, Atelier of Art Conservation–Paintings of Professor Karl Streti
Internships
1995 • Academy of Fine Arts, Karlsruhe, Germany
1996 • Royal Academy, Stockholm, Sweden
1997 • Soros Foundation, Lviv, Ukraine
Exhibitions and Installations
1993 • Obernzenn, Germany
1993 • Klatovy, Czech Republic – „U bílého jednorožce“ Gallery
1994 • Prague, Czech Republic – BEHEMOT Gallery
1994 • Karlsbad, Czech Republic – House of Art
1995 • Karlsruhe, Germany
1995 • Mánes, Academy of Fine Arts in Prague, Czech Republic
1996 • Stockholm, Sweden, Royal Academy
1996 • Prague, Czech Republic – Mánes
1996 • Prague, Czech Republic – Old Town Hall
1997 • Lviv – Ukraine – Soros Center
1998 • Prague, Czech Republic – National Gallery, Veletržní Palace, Academy of Fine Arts Diploma Work Exhibit
1998 • Prague, Czech Republic – Mánes, joint exhibition with Professor Kokolia
1998 • Prague, Czech Republic – Hollar Gallery, Teacher and Student (jointly with Professor Kokolia)
1999 • Passau, Germany, Inter Art Gallery
1999 • Prague, Czech Republic – EURO CZECH FORUM, installation
2000 • Jičín, Czech Republic – Museum, silk screens
2000 • Košice, Slovakia – Slovak Technical Museum, Deep Space
2001 • Prague, Czech Republic – Červená tabulka, sculpture, „Head“
2002 • Prague, Czech Republic – Copy General – installation, Diploma work
2007 • Prague, Czech Republic – Le Court Gallery First solo exhibition
2007 • Ostrava, Czech Republic – Mlejn Gallery solo exhibition
2007 • Ostrava, Czech Republic – Na chodbě Gallery – Exhibition Proměny
2008 • Nový Jičín, Czech Republic – Hlavolam Gallery Nový Jičín – solo exhibition Neurons and protons
2009 • Czech Republic Ostrava, Smalt Art Vítkovice
2010 • Czech Republic Ostrava, Smalt Art Vítkovice
2011 • Czech Republic Ostrava, Smalt Art Vítkovice
2016 • Czech Republic Entrance Gallery – Prague – solo exhibition „My World“
2016 • Czech Republic Sbor českých bratří Gallery -Mladá Boleslav – „Nuclear conference about the colour“
2017 • New York (USA) BBLA – Sensitive Bodies of my mind
2017 • Ottawa (Canada) – Microcosmos
2017 • Instalation in L´Guerlain Institute Prague
Awards
Print of the Year, 2000 – Award of the Main Sponsor, Pražská plynárenská, a.s., in category A
Print of the Year, 2000 – Honourable Mention in category D
Projects
1999 • Design concept for exterior of the National Gallery building in the Third courtyard of Prague Castle, cooperation with HŠH Architects Studio – (design proposal, not realised)
2000 • Participation in Selection procedure for exterior of Sovovy mlýny building, cooperation with architect Michal Mihalčík, not realised
2002 • Design project of 13-story apartment building in Jahodová Street, Zahradní město, Prague 4 – realised
1999-2004 • Restoration works for GEMA ltd., esp. colour layout and exterior of buildings, occasionally interiors (Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic, Prague; Na Františku Hospital, Prague; Nostic Palace, Prague; interior of Valdštejn Palace, Prague; Česká pojišťovna Building in Spálená Street, Prague; Small Fürstenberk Palace, Prague; Faculty of Mathematics and Physics of Charles University, selected rooms interiors, Prague)
2004 • Restoration of interior of Baroque palace Na Andělské hoře, Karlsbad
2004 • Glass panes cover print testing, Archbishop’s Palace, Olomouc, realised in 2006
2005 • Large-format banner for the interior of ČKD building for Šrámková Architects Studio
2006 • Restoration of oil wall paintings in Neue Schloss Street, Heidelberg (finished in March 2007)
2007 • Graphical layout for large scale print – Václav Havel Airport (Marriot Hotel) – Hallway and detail
2007 • Graphical layout – Calendar of Drypoint Association
2009 • St. Wenceslas painting restoration for „St. Wenceslas – the patron of Bohemia“ exhibition (Archbishop’s Palace, Prague)
2009 • Cooperation with HŠH Architects Studio, Prague, Emauzy Abbey
2011 • St. Agnes of Bohemia painting restoration for „St. Agnes of Bohemia – the Princess and Votaress“ exhibition (Archbishop’s Palace, Prague)
2011 • Restoration works for Archbishopric of Prague – E.A. Harrach portrait
2013 • Restoration works for a commercial sector – Čestín
2013 • Preparatory restoration works in Václav Havel Library
2013 • Restoration works for House of Art, Ostrava
2014 • Preparatory restoration work for the Embassy of France, Prague
2015 • Graphical work – family portrait (private owner – Moscow, Russia)