Transient Objects of Desire

“For many years now I have been interested in the images of the impacts of natural and manmade disasters. I explore this theme in many different mediums including, painting, sculpture and installation and things in between. The work represents a collision between nature and people. It raises questions about longevity, the consequences of human behavior, and differences in cultural or national attitudes. This theme emerged from my own personal anxieties as well as the world events. Even though carnage from a natural disaster or war is disturbing and damaging, brute force and brutality can be intoxicating and seductive. With my objects, I contrast finely crafted and strangely beautiful images against harsh repulsion to draw attention to the beauty of violence. I am fascinated by the remnants of what stays behind, what is discarded and what it says about the present moment in time. It is a telling commentary on the reality of everyday consumption and the impact people have on nature. I find these images at the same instance repulsive and scary but also visually intriguing and even beautiful. I am interested in the conflict between the visual perception of the image and the conscience of consequences that it depicts. I translate these images into more abstract objects with prickly textures and complex structures that often mimic organic materials and formations found in nature. I am interested in assembling and breaking down structures creating scenes and objects bristling with tension somewhere between beautiful and dangerous. In the beginning of 2020 I started on a series of smaller size mixed medium objects. I was attracted to the intimate size because it seemed to be a perfect match for the confines of my little studio. Not knowing when these pieces would be able to be displayed they became my companions mirroring with their awkward forms my anxiety and isolation. The objects are covered by prickly but delicate textures – in a way a coat of armor that probably originated from my feeling of desolation and uncertainty. The objects are still and yet they look animated like they can creep away when one fails to pay them an attention.”

About the Artist

Lenka Konopasek was born in the Czech Republic where she attended School of Applied Arts in Prague. After immigrating to the United States, she received BFA degree from University of Utah and MFA degree from Maine College of Art in Portland, Maine. She attended artist residencies in Vermont Studio Center, Chicago Art Institute and Little Falls, Minnesota. Her paintings have been exhibited widely throughout United States, Taiwan, Germany, India and Czech Republic. She also completed several large public art projects in Utah. Her work has been featured on the back cover of the New American Painting and in other publications. Lenka has been involved in co-owning an art gallery in Salt Lake City and in Denver and working for the Salt Lake Art Center, Visual Art Institute and Utah Arts Festival. She has been teaching at University of Utah and Westminster College in Salt Lake City and other art institutions and schools throughout the city

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