Gallery
Every month in our gallery we showcase the work by another 'artist of the month'.
Below you can see some present and past exhibitions, which have featured artists from all over the world
including Finland, Sweden, UK, US, Czech Republic, Italy, France, Spain, Russia, Macedonia, Australia, Kenya, and Japan.
In addition we sell and exhibit our own unique handcrafted ceramic pieces, made by resident Muddum artists.
We also design and make requested items according to your needs and wishes.
2011
November - December
September - October
June - July
March
Petr Pokorný (CZ) "Ztratit Iluze > Najít Luze - Lose Illusions Delusions > Find Lusions"
Exhibition Opening: March 4th, 5pm
2010
October
Kristyna Erbenova (CZ) "Misto Pobytu / Place of Residence"
Opening Party: October 30.01.10, 19:00
August
Petra Gosenka (SLO) and Sylvie Peeters (BELG) "Naturally"
Opening: July 30. 20:00
We are all animals. Taking this as a premise, you get a view on life which brings everything back to its nature. Human movement and behavior stand explained in a logical, natural way. Unconsciously, this was the way I was dealing with my city life. Maybe the contrast between city and nature inspired me, maybe looking back to nature was a way to cope with the buzz of everyday city life. What's sure is that I found this presence of nature slowly as a recurring motif in the works I wanted to make, without having a clear image in mind of one 'animalistic' entity for this exhibition. Other elements which inspired me are motion and balance. Moving bodies, muscles, facial expressions, they tend to charm me in a for me new and unexpected way. Sometimes, I had a clear image in mind of how the result should look like. Other times, I was enjoying the change in the work, as it developed it's own personality while working on it. This year in Prague made me discover a new creative potential of which I didn't know at first. I didn't study any art school and was just occasionally transforming a sudden moment of inspiration in a drawing or, as I started to experiment last year, in a short animation film. Working in Muddum as a volunteer gave me not only the inspiration, knowledge and techniques, but also space and time to improve and to learn to work with new materials. -Sylvie Peeters (Belgium) (slv.peeters@gmail.com)
Circle of nature The shape that draws me the most and it’s visible in my forms is the circle. Circle is an object of nature, intermittent line without beginning and without the end. It represents cyclically, something that constantly re-create itself, the eternal return. Before I started to work with clay I was most interested in natural and recycled materials. I was making jewelry from the seeds of most diverse plants I could find in the nature or were growing on my garden. My other passion was recycled materials that we use in our everyday life. From corks, paper, juice carton and other materials that usually finish in the garbage I was transforming to objects with new dimensions. Working as a volunteer in Muddum for a year I was mostly keen on trying to learn how to work on the wheel, transforming circles into hair buttons, recycle materials in vallets and brooches or to burn my ceramic in shades of glazes which I was picturing. -Petra Gosenka (Slovenia) (petra.gosenca@gmail.com) |
June - July
Sarah Earle and Nicole Siggins (USA) "Wrap Me Up in Your Blanket of Love"
Vernisáž: Cerven 4. 20:00
"Wrap Me Up in Your Blanket of Love" contains collage works by Sarah Earle, and mixed media paintings by Nicole Siggins. This exhibition explores themes of leading a life of positivity and taking charge of one's own emotions through creativity. Nicole Siggins is an American artist living in Prague who uses a variety of mediums to express her artistic vision. She works primarily in film and video production, dance, photography, painting, and mixed media. She has performed as a hula hoop dancer at venues throughout the United States, including the Waltham Mills Artists' Association,The Red Loft, Art Interactive, and Wildfire, a biannual fire performance festival. Her video work has been on display at Studio Soto,The Brattle Theatre, Lumen Eclipse, The Boston Comedy Film Festival, and the Woods Hole Film Festival. Her photography and paintings have been shown at Francesca's Cafe and as part of Brookline Artists' Open Studios. She is a core member of the Institute for Infinitely Small Things, a participatory research group who have screened their work via performance at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston, and via performance and exhibition at the DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park in Lincoln, Massachusetts, USA. Email: nicole.siggins@gmail.com Since Sarah Earle studied textile art and creative writing at Concordia University, Montreal, Canada, she has been involved in various projects including documentary writing and radio, a photography blog, a group felting initiative and collaging. Her writing has been published in the Prague Post, on Expats.cz and in several newspapers and magazines in the US. At the moment, she is trying to balance an interest in freelance journalism with teaching and visual art here in Prague. Her collages use magazines, construction paper, beadwork, old calenders and newspapers to recreate feelings and life events in a fluid and personal way. |
May
Cara Ernst (USA) "Thoughts in Motion"
Vernisáž: May 14. 20:00
The exhibition 'Thoughts in Motion' reflects the fact that many of my sculptures are quiet and reflective.
However there is a desire in these scuptures to bring thoughts into reality. These internal thoughts are often brought
to the surface through swirls of color and abstract symbolswhich are 'branded' like tattoos on the scuptures' bodies.
This exhibition will also be a kind of farewell party. Since coming to the Czech Republic,
Muddum has been like a second home for me. It has been a great source of inspiration and friendship.
So I am really pleased to be doing this exhibition right on the eve of my return to the States.
Please join me in saying good-bye to the Czech Republic. There will be refreshments, possibly a smoke firing
of one of my pots and most pottery will be given away as gifts or for small donations at the end of the exhibition.
-Cara Ernst, cara.ernst@gmail.com
April-May
Allison Brooke Smoler (USA) "Untitled"
Vernisáž: April 28. 20:00
Allison Smoler was born in Omaha Nebraska and studies Psychology and Studio Art at the University of Colorado in Boulder.
While studying abroad in Prague, she has been documenting her experiences and travels through various forms of art.
Fascinated by the combination of reality and imagination, Allison created a short stop motion animation about her European adventures.
allison.smoler@colorado.edu
2009
June-August
Erell Piette (FRA) "Unlimited"
Vernisáž: Èerven 12. 19:00
I use video frames from films of my own, and pictures or objects that the world where I live offers to my eyes:
dolls, videos, advertisement...I try to shift from this pictures to personal vision, human body as a transforming material.
I am interested in how video media can bring forth a new perception of movement. From the video frames I try to find
another way to draw human body. Because of the fluidity of the media human body seems to be unlimited and in
permanent change. By drawing I show this loss of limits and the dissolution of the body from one into another.
I want to shift the vision of the audience from the usual representation of body in the media.
Today we have big and unlimited access to media and it influences our vision of life and behaviour.
Since all that seems to me as one and the same representation of human figure and
especially of woman figure, each drawing is an attempt to break it.
erellpiette@yahoo.fr
May - June
Marike Persyn (FRA) "The Artist is a Kind of Explorer of the Contemporary World"
8th May-4th June 2009
March-April
Charisse Renee (US) "Sepia Clounds Under the Arches"
(collage: wood, glass, paper, gold). Opening: 20.03.09. 7pm
"Sepia Clouds Under the Arches",combines layers of wood,glass,paper and gold to create
an ethereal dreamscape and haunting images reminiscent of early photography. With this exibition I
want to evoke feelings of serenity and nostalgia for the beginning of the 20th century,and to create a
yearning for distant and exotic places untangible except for in the heart and mind.
Having lived in Prague for more than a year, this is a momentous occasion for me.
This is my first show abroad after a two year haitus. "Sepia Clouds Under the Arches"
represents my quiet moods and eclectic thoughts while living here in Prague.
It also represents the dreams that follow me of the past.
Charisse Renee: whit0831@umn.edu
March
Gaëlle Messager (FR) "Paris..." (drawing)
(collage: wood, glass, paper, gold). Opening: 20.03.09. 7pm
It's further to a one month trip in Ethiopia in September 2007, that drawing became my new way of catching the reality. This new academic year was also my 8th and last studies year in Fine Arts (After a Licence in Arts in Paris 1 Panthéon Sorbonne, I attended a DNSEP at the Beaux-Artsin Lorient). For these 8 first years, my tool has, first of all, been the video. I, among other things, made a film called « Ring » which was a 4 screens' installation. Inviting the audience to get on the ring and to watch what's happening behind the scenes of the boxing. I have followed for one year, Halas, a young female boxer during her warm-up, and her physical and mental trainings. I've got an interest in documentary. It brings me to see what is not or not much brought into light and in the foreground. It allows me to understand in a better way what is happening on the political and medias scenes, but also on the performing arts and streets scenes. During this trip in Ethiopia, I couldn't use my camera. I preferred to live this trip in a physical way than through the screen. I couldn't use any words either. Even though I did want to share this experience. Drawing did appear naturally, as an obviousness. It's for me a new born freedom that the video, omnipresent, doesn't allow. I catch, in a flash, everyday life situations which I memorise and reinvent on the paper. These daily scenes either surprise me, revolt me or make me smile. I present them again on the free space of the white sheet of paper. - Gaëlle Messager |
January-February
2008
November-December
Ewa ¯urakowska (PL) "The future is out of sight, The present is omnipresent…" (photography)
Opening: 14.11.08. 7pm. Special 'Lapland' evening!
(photo projection, history of Sami people, culture, shamanism, yoik, music, poetry)
While traveling through the lands of Scandinavia, I had a permanent sensation of immensity of the nature. It blazes a trail here…
Like the reindeers used to appoint the hikes of Sami people before ages. And one may not even seek for a magic, it’s just evitable…
The mystery enfolds the broad lakes of Finland and wild, picturesque fjords of Norway…Vastness of this magnificent landscapes
space is beyond words, so that I just invite to watch the pictures from my journey. This trip was much inspired by the unique yoiking
– traditional Sami form of song that is connected with their animistic beliefs, and reflects their religious attitude towards nature.
I brought some yoik music from Lapand, so it will accompany the opening…Ewa ¯urakowska graduated in Culture Science
from Warsaw University and has spent the last two years in Czech Republic, working in the field of alternative theatre.
"Traveling is my passion, but not only in the sense of touring, but also, or maybe first of all –
in sense of discovering the hidden territories of culture and watching human customs."
E-mail: ewolia@yahoo.com
October
Tomáš Kouba (CZ) "Old Prints" (photography). Opening party 24.10.08. 7pm
Tomáš is back in Prague and back in Muddum!
He is a photographer from Prague, studying photography at University in Finland
and is back in Prague for one year to study at FAMU.
This is his forth exhibition in Muddum, each of which has been a very
different style then the others. See below for his previous work in Muddum.
You can write any comments about his photos in a feedback book in the Muddum Gallery.
Tomáš Kouba. Tel: 420608558636, E-mail: koubtoma@lpt.fi
July
John Barker (NZ), 'New Zealand, Coast to Coast', photographs. Opening July 4, 19:00
John Barker was born in New Zealand in 1971 and has been living here in the Czech Republic since 2000. My “hobby
photography“ began on my first overseas trip back in 1995, this was to include a trip to the African outback, so
I decied that a decent camera and lens was needed. I have beem taking photographs every since. But only last
year did I get my first digital slr. I perfer to take nature and animal pictures, as for me there is more beauty in
seeing this subject, but since my time here I have been invited to do many weddings for friends, and generally
enjoy taking photos of anything. My business is based on my own photograpy and I have created two sets
of Picture Playing cards, one with my photos from all over Prague and the other a collection from the whole
public (these will also be on display at Muddum). This is my first exibition and I decided to show photos from
my homeland of New Zealand, which were taken on a recent trip back there. I have called it "New Zealand,
coast to coast"“ and it includes shots from three of New Zealand's South Island coasts.
And is just a small part of the beautiful scenery that New Zealnd has.
June
Sarah Kunkler (US), "Where All Lines Converge" (paintings). Opening June 6th, 7pm
Sarah Kunkler has been living and working in Prague since 2005. This is her second exhibition at Muddum Gallery.
Her most recent work, Where Lines Converge, uses the mediums of printmaking, sewing, and sculpture to focus
on connection and continuity. This current exhibition deals with individual movement in a public space.
After moving here in 2005, Sarah began a collaborative project with a colleague from university
who also moved to another city in pursuit of a different cultural experience. This collaborative body of
work was the basis for the concepts dealt with in Where Lines Converge….after over two years
of investigating and various visual projects, she finds this body of work to be the most
cohesive and complete statement of her ideas of public transportation.
April-May
Daniel Ayllon Martinez (Spain), photographs
Daniel Ayllon Martinez was born in Barcelona in 1981. In 1989, he moved to Madrid where he went
to school and later to university to study journalism. He began taking photographs in 1997 as a hobby.
His first articles and photos were published in important Spanish newspapers like La Razon, El Mundo and AVUI.
He was part of the founder team of the paper Ahora. After spending a year in New York in 2006, he came back to Madrid
and worked for the newspaper ADN. He was also one of the founders of the Publico, where he works now as a writer
in the current events section. He loves to travel, and thinks that it should be compulsory for everybody.
To him, travelling does not change the place you are; it changes your mind, your prejudices and your way of life.
People who travel have open minds and show more solidarity. Cuba, England, Czech Republic, Turkey, Italy,
France, Tunisia, USA and Bulgaria are the last countries he has visited. He is now planning to travel to China,
Germany, Morocco and South America. Photography is one of the skills that he uses in his work, but also in his travels.
He enjoys playing with his camera as when he began ten years ago. Paint feelings with lights and shadows.
As a photojournalist, his pictures try to evocate experiences, reflexions and small stories, but always as an observer.
He is fundamentally a journalist and, with his camera or with his pen, he just tries to tell stories.
The reader or the spectator is the one who has to reflect about it. His role is just to give the inspiration to do so.
February-March
Trevor McDonald (US) "Kinky Reggae Radio Samurai" (painting)
To quote the contemporary Dutch artist Vincent Geyskens: "The painter is a zombie."
And the art of painting "wanders round restlessly, unable to justify its existence".
January
2007
November-December
Martyna Duskova (CZ) "So close to each other they are, but on the other hand...so far" (photography)
Opening party 23.11.07. 6:30pm
Profile: Martina Duskova was born in Prague 23 years ago and currently living here. She is studying Media,
diplomacy and Public relation. She considers photography more as a passion than a job, even if she was shooting
for some magazines (Stratosfera s. r. o.), bands (United Flavor), commercial actions and czech celebrities.
“I am not focused on one specific thing in photography - I love shooting people as well as some parts of our
unbeliveble world and doscovering where we actually live and that everything is here for us to see and to know.
There is so much to see around us. Life is not just about the place where we were born and I consider
myself very lucky that I had the possibility to travel a bit and took these pictures.” Martyna Duskova
October
Conrad Armstrong (Kenya/US) "Painting and Boxes". Opening party 05.10.07. 6:30pm
Profile: Conrad Armstrong was born in 1980 in Nairobi, Kenya. At the age of 10 he moved to America, where he stayed for
14 years. Conrad studied painting at the Rhode Island School of Design from 1998 – 2002. He has lived in Prague since 2004.
About the work: “These are drawings derived from memories and elaborated upon by imagination.
The drawing process is employed as a means of cementing otherwise undocumented time, of which I have boatloads.
These drawings are a futile stab at reclaiming moments, which have so uncooperatively slipped away.”
"My current painting work is mainly based on memories from my childhood in Kenya my time spent in Pakistan and Indonesia,
as well as other vignettes from my kaleidoscopic life. I gravitate to the particular locales of Kenya, Indonesia, and Pakistan
as I see them as places where the realities of an unequal world can be very clearly seen, and as such hold a particular
resonance and reveal the contradictions of our "modern" world. Representations of walls, gates, children playing, cars
being checked for bombs, street scenes, and enclosures have all repeatedly found their way into my work. I see these
elements as the infrastructure of a thoroughly unequal world, and it is this inequality that I see as the underlying
inspiration for many of these pictures, though I know I have not dealt with these themes to their full potential.
I work on my paintings and drawings until I reach a point when I find the work has come to a state
that resonates with my sensibility enough to leave it alone. "
August-September
Tomáš Kouba (CZ) "Untitled" (photography, chromogenic color prints). Opening party 27.08.07. 7pm
Tomáš is a photographer from Prague, currently studying photograph at University in Finland.
This is his third exhibition in Muddum, each of which has been a very
different style then the others. See below for his previous work in Muddum.
You can write any comments about his photos in a feedback book in the Muddum Gallery.
Tomáš Kouba. Tel: 420608558636, E-mail: koubtoma@lpt.fi
June-July
Marion Boulland (FRA) "Regards Croisés" (photography). Opening party 24.06.07. 6pm
These photos were taken during a trip to senegal in april 2007. This was the 2nd part of an exchange project for representatives
of organisations for disabled people from France and Senegal. The aim of this project, coordinated by WANITA, is to bring together
people with different disabilities from different countries and cultures to meet, discuss and learn from the life experiences of others.
May
David D. Sharp (US) "Surpassing the Stroke " (painting). Opening party 04.05.07. 6:30pm
Either prior to exploding or contrusctively detailing, I practice the ritual of turning over the outcome. From its source on the spiritual plain,
the energy stored within myself is relinquished to various holds upon canvas, wood, plastics, et. al. The hot juices of color, mulled with
metallic and other media forms itself. Strokes and design, varying in source (chopsitcks, screwdrivers, bottlecaps, Q-Tips, wire, gravity,
forks, etc.) and mode (thrown, splashed, spat, blown, dropped, melted, exploded, etc.) arrive on or off course. I am only the
bio-mechanical instrumnt that surrenders to and for the concrete objective. There is no pre-intended idea or link as I begin each
piece. “Que sera, sera!“ The continued experimentation in different media and surface, using the effects of natural and artificial
light, as well as absolute darkness in the cold cell of a dungeon, has produced the works created in this exhibition. The
single correlation amongst the works exhibited is...you decide-beyond the color, beyond the form-your feelings.
David D. Sharp, an (un) ordinary guy, attempting to make sense of the mental static life's journey generates, has been residing
in the Czech Republic for the last five years. Refusing to cease and desist, he has often found himself riding on the wings of angels.
Coming of Age in Arkansas, Blossoming in New Orleans, and Venturing into the Varieties of life in Asia and Europe, he has centralized
and settled with his wife, Veronika, and canine, Grace, in the heart of “Bohemian Rhapsody“. Patient, persistant, and persevering,
he abstractly continues the pursuit-seeking that which lies beyond mere color and form. Once asked by his mother, Paula G. Sharp,
“baby,-how are you?“, he replied, “I guess I am surviving." Mother's timeless wisdom in reply, “baby, that is not living!“, rings
true to this day as he serenely lives life to its fullest.
Furthermore, two aspiring quotes he holds peace together with follow:
“People, for the sake of getting a living, forget to live.“ --Margaret Fuller. “ One day at a time.“ --Anonymous
March-April
Susanne Kass (FIN/AUS) "Settings for Imaginings " (photo/text). Opening party 14.03.07. 6:30pm
There are stages all around, places that we hope our dreams will play out, not just in our minds but in everyday life.
Sometimes we share the stage with others, but what we see and experience there can never be the same.
You look from behind your eyes and I from behind mine, we can either share or keep secret what we find there.
Susanne can be contacted on susanne@muddum.cz.
February
Aleksey Lebedev (RUS) "Future in Progress " (mixed media). Opening party 07.02.07. 8pm
"I originally came from Russia to live in Czech Republic 10 years ago. I studied in the British International School of Prague
(B.I.S.P), earned IGCSE and IB. He is currently studying in New York University for Prague (U.N.Y.P) as a psychology major.
Art wasn't always what I was aiming for in my life, always wanted to try different things. However, I am doing art for quite
a while to be exact about 8-10 years already. In general art was always fascinating thing for me. I never attended any art
schools to study art, instead I treat art as my hobby whenever I have free time I try to sit down and do some so that i don't
loose my skills and my style. About the style: there is no particular style that I use, although I can surely say that I like to
use implements of graphic design and illustrations. I also like to use very contrasting flat colors and trying to keep
everything simple yet with a fine detail. The medium I like to work with are usually markers, felt pens, pencils,
ball point pens, and sometimes paint. RecentlyI started working digitally with a tablet, my digital work
has a rather different style then the work I do by hand. I always try discovering new ways how
I can progress since everything can useful for something." Contact: pit_since1984@yahoo.com.
January
Philemon Detheb (FRA) "Urban Plant Fairy Tale " (photography)
"Imagine a fairy tale that a parent plant could tell to its baby plant, about humans; turning into a kind of urban legend.
By this new kind of fairy tale, I want in the first place to disturb the perception of time and objects, creating a non-existent
movement and non-existent skills by the force of the words & image complex. Its a description of the usual superstition
process that makes links between totally distinct (as distant) facts together by the power of the imagination (and
suggestion of the event). Secondly, it is a conceptual attempt to transcript what could be the equivalent of
urban tales for vegetation. Finally, it's also a global warning against the future new skills of
mutant plants." Philemon Detheb (Math) photomath8@hotmail.fr
2006
November/December
Caterina Filardo (IT) "PSYCOTI.KA" (digital photography and graphic art)
PSYCOTI.KA is by Caterina Filardo, young italian artist living in Prague.
In her work she is mixing together digital photography and graphic arts.
The subjects of her pictures always originate from the real world but the final image is a result of
digital processing that deconstructs it into a subjective perception. Despite of using the computer to explore
the possibilities of the cybernetic dimension she tries not to lose the connection to the roots in the concrete world.
Besides of photography she is also designing jewels and accessories.
Caterina can be contacted on kaska3it@yahoo.it.
October
Sarah Kunkler (US) and Èestmir Pøindiš (CZ) "Feet in Transit " (prints)
Sarah kunkler, a graduate of ohio university, currently lives and works in prague.
The artwork in the currenct show at muddum deals compares the horse's physical form with issues of
femaninity versus vanity and conformity using visual patterns. You can contact her at sarahkunkler@yahoo.com.
Èestmír Pøindiš is in the final year of Prague´s Academy of Fine Arts, working mostly in printmaking and collage.
He is also doing graphic design and dancing. He can be contacted on cestmirprindis@seznam.cz or www.e-cestmir.com.
August and September
Marya Black (Fin) "Stories about an Illusion" (painting)
There's nothing to do, so you just stay in bed? Why to live in the world when you can live in your head?
Stories about an illusion? Maybe my favourite subject to create some pictures since I learned how to draw.
About illusion of love and life, and how it can be so powerful that it hurts people, how it can make someone decay.
In the end it's not a very sad theme, like it may seem. There's always other side of stories or illusion, love or life.
It can be called brightness without those shadows, but I'd rather call it as your will to survive. As a part of exhibition I used some
favourite poems of mine, that everyone could see some other stories behind my works. And those are like fairytales.
Marya was born in 1985, Helsinki, Finland. Started serious art studies in 1999, but even more serious ones in 2001.
Graduated 2004 specializing in painting and photography and started as a freelancer artist (or in other words: was for a vacation
around two years), working mainly with photography and writing. December 2005 started voluntary service in arts centre, Prague,
Czech Republic. And still discovering new adventures! This is her 8th exhibition. Marya Black. marya@muddum.org
July
Alan Alexander Meyer (GER/RUS), "Arbitrary and capricious", paintings.
Alan Alexander Meyer was born in 1970 in Sankt Petersburg, Russia. He has lived, worked and exhibited in Israel,
Jerusalem and USA, New York. Recently he has been residing in Berlin, Germany. His most often used material is oil
and gouache. His has works in private collections in Russia, Israel, USA, Denmark, Check Republic and Germany.
June
Cara Ernst (US), "Attempting to Reflect People and their Places is to be...Alone with Everybody", ceramics;
and Simon Neale (UK), "12 Weekends", photo-exhibition
A special double exhibition this month, ceramics from Cara Ernst (US) and photography from Simon Neale (UK).
"I think, for me, pottery is an extension of my childhood play activities, when I used to create paper dolls that would
bring into existence an invented reality. Though I enjoy making practical objects, such as candle holders and toothbrush
containers, my real love comes from creating something almost human-like. . . something both sympathetic and
'sympaticky'. In my work, I am not trying to create something realistic, but rather an idea of reality that
the viewer to imagine something more. It is my form of storytelling." Cara Ersnt
Email: cara_ernst@yahoo.com
Simon was born in England in 1975. Since September 2000 he has been teaching English abroad.
From 2000 to 2003 he lived in China and from 2003 to the present he has lived in Prague. During this time
Simon has been spending his free time photographing his local environment. He feels that living in a country
rather than visiting for a few days helps to produce pictures of a greater emotional depth.
"For example when I first came to Prague it was difficult to avoid the standard
image of 'Skodas and statues'. Now I hope that these pictures here reflect
the quietness and stillness of the city that is my overriding
feeling when I walk the streets.
May
Kristyna Müller (Swe), "The Zoo", photo-exhibition
A series of pictures of Prague's Zoo taken in October 2005.
"They are a bit sad but thats also what the zoo is for me with all the animals locked up with people staring at them..."
Kristyna Müller was born in prague 1984 but moved to Sweden with her family when she was 5 years old.
She has been doing photography for 6 years, and is currently studying photography at FAMU in prague.
Email: kristyna_muller@hotmail.com
April
Pasi Poutiainen (Fin), "Self-Portraits", paintings
Works and makes art in Finland. Graduated from Kouvola Arts & Crafts College, specializing in painting.
March
Yokoyama Yoshi (Jap) "Pig;Q" (photo-exhibition)
These pictures were taken for the short tavelogue witten by Heavy-ko who is a model in this picture book.
The main character in this travelogue is PIG;Q. PIG;Q also represents Heavy-ko herself.
And he (or she..because sometime it seems that it has both sex.) Travelled floating on the ocean with a boat.
It meets Star;SATOKO, Dog;SABU, Stone;W, many characters.
Through communicating with them PIG;Q is searching for its own identity in the neverending journey.
Yokoyama Yoshimi was born in 1975 in Kagoshima Japan.
She worked as a photographer in Tokyo for 4 years before coming to Prague in October 2005 where she studied in FAMU.
She will have another exhibition "Tokyo-Prague" in KINO AERO in Prague in May 2006. Email: camera.m@hotmail.co.jp
January and Febuary
Marya Black (Fin) "The Non-Existents" (photo-exhibition)
"They don't exist, only in minds they could come a part of reality. They're showing lies of beauty, as it is false.
Hidden secrets. Things aren't always what they seem." Marya Black. marya@muddum.org
2005
November and December
Cynthia Tom (US), paintings and pastels
"As an experimental artist, the basis of these works stems from experiences,
which i have taken from the past and transformed into my present day world. Each work represents an
experience, whether a revelation, a struggle, or simply a thought, that has helped me build my character.
Art is sentimental, completely from the heart, and free, that's why i enjoy
it. So from my perspective, I have my
own meanings, titles, and expressions of these works but for you i have keep them untitled to allow you to express
yourslef through my work. So have fun, don't think too hard and enjoy yourself as i enjoy myself!" Cynthia Tom.
October
Rostislav Matyska (CZ), 'Vietnam', photo-exhibition
September
Joe Dodds (UK), 'Summer Sculpture', Bechynì 2005, photography
The beautiful southern Bohemian town of Bechynì has been a famous ceramics and sculptural centre since the
19th century, with the founding the the Bechyne Ceramic College. As well as there superb year-round museum
within the school itself, every summer they have an excellent pottery exhibition outside in the castle gardens,
with many well-known artists some of whom are graduates of the school. Muddum founders Joe and
Klara Dodds went there for their first wedding anniversary in August and here are
some pictures of the exhibition.
July and August
Tomáš Kouba (CZ), photo-exhibition
This is Tomáš's second exhibition in Muddum, and is very different from his first. It includes a collection of black and white
photographs taken over a period of many years and in many different countries (mainly Czech, Finland, Holland, USA).
His subjects reflect this variety, including landscapes, portraits and nudes. The price is between 400K and 500K.
Tomáš is an ameteur photographer living in Prague. You can write any comments about his photos in a
feedback book in the Muddum Gallery. Tomáš Kouba. Tel: 420608558636, E-mail: tomkouba@seznam.cz.
June
Muddum Memories: A Year In Muddum, First Anniversary
We first opened Muddum a year ago on June 13, 2004. It took a lot of stress, effort, wild guesses,
paint and plaster in the eyes, and dreaming, but we eventually got it off the ground (see history).
To all our amazements, astonishment, happiness and relief, Muddum (our first baby!) is still here,
kicking and screaming one year on. Thanks for all those you came to the anniversary party
film screening, and for all of you who have been with us for some of the way. Cheers!
April and May
Ženja (RUS), paintings and drawings
Ženja is a young painter from Russia who made her exhibition using a range of styles and techniques.
A few a below for you to see. For those interested in contacting her, please get in touch with us here in Muddum.
Febuary and March
Tatiana Irbis (RUS), 'Nudes', paintings
Tatiana Irbis was born in 1956 in Omsk,Russia. After basic school she studied at The Art Collage in Pensa for 5 years
from 1975-1980. She left Pensa and switched to the big city, Moscow, to study stage design at The Collage of Hight Theatre
Courses from 1981-1983. In 1984 she became a member of the Union of Artists of the USSR. Then she went to work in the
theatre industry and produced original decorations and designs for plays and ballets, more than 40 of them. In 1994 Tatiana
became an member of the Russian Avangard group in Vladimir. In 1999 she moved to Prague, where she is painting and
making costumes for actors and theatre groups. She enjoys working with historical costumes and modern as well. In
Muddum you can see a series of new works, influenced by Japenese art. They are available for purchase. You can
view more of her art, and contact her, via her web site: www.irbis.czechian.net or email her at tanja@kaphorn.dk.
January
Tomáš Kouba (CZ), 'Life and Death', photo-exhibition
"An exhibition of digital photos, mainly in colour. Some of them are adjusted on computer. These adjustments are
mainly visible on the pictures of the Swans and Anemone UW black and white. The main series are: Hornets,
Under Water, Death, Nature. The price for one piece is 250 Crowns. A series of 4 pictures is 800 Crowns.
"I am an ameteur photographer living in Prague. I do mainly classic black&wite photos, mainly landscapes, nudes and
people. You can write any comments about my photos in a feedback book in the Muddum Gallery."
Tomáš Kouba. Tel: 420608558636, E-mail: tomkouba@seznam.cz.
2004
December
Nikola Badev (MAC): ‘Another World Is Possible’ – Photographs from the European Social Forum,
London, October 15-17, 2004 . Black and White
“On the last day of the forum [see November description for details] there was a demo against the British/American occupation
of Iraq. There were quite a lot of people, about 70,000. It was incredible to see so many different people from different parts
of the world united against the evil of war. Not even the bad weather could make the people leave, not even the police
violence. The following photos are some of my impressions of the day of the protest, the way I saw it." - Nikola Badev
Nikola Badev was born in Skopje, Macedonia and is currently living in Prague. He recently started to discover the powerful
art of photography as means of expression. "I cannot comment or describe my work. It would be subjective. I think
it is up to other people to do it, not me. I just see a photo and if I recognize something in it I steal that moment
from reality." This is his first public display of photographs (black and white) and is dedicated to Ana.
For contact or comments on the work write to koljko@yahoo.com or call/sms +420 608 116 003.
November
Joe Dodds (UK): ‘Another World Is Possible’ – Photographs from the European Social Forum,
London, October 15-17, 2004. Colour
On the weekend of October 15-17 London hosted the Third European Social Forum, and tens of thousands of people came from
throughout Europe and the World, including around 200 people from Czech Rep. The Social Forum process began in 2001 in Porto
Allegra in Brazil with the first World Social Forum, an alternative meeting to the World Economic Forum and building on the Zapatista-
initiated encuentros of the 90’s. Representatives of diverse grassroots social and environmental movements from around the world,
along with leading academic critics, charities, artists, writers, scientists and other concerned people met to discuss ways of change
and international coordination, while each group maintained their independence and autonomy, under the banner of ‘Another World
Is Possible’. Since then the forum process has deepened and spread throughout the world, from South Africa to Mumbai. The last
European regional meeting in Florence called for global demonstrations on Feb. 15 against the imminent war in Iraq, resulting in the
largest coordinated global protest in history. This year’s event in London was a fascinating occasion, with hundreds of workshops,
meetings, films, music, demonstrations, art, poetry and more. On the final day everyone came together for a demonstration
against war and racism. In Muddum we have photographs from two participants, giving two different perspectives of the event.
Joe Dodds, a co-founder of Muddum, does not consider himself a photographer (but sometimes sees interesting things while holding
a camera), spent his demo amoung the samba bands, sound systems, jugglers, musicians and artists. The double-decker bus (in
the gallery but not in the selection below) took human shields from London to Baghdad to try to prevent the war, and now runs on
sunflower oil (you don’t need to kill for sunflowers, and it’s carbon neutral). During ESF it hosted the European Creative Forum with
dj’s, bands, mc’s, artists and more, driving through London on sunflower oil bringing good music and intelligent lyrics to the streets.
October
Michal Schwarz (CZ): new ceramics
Michal Schwarz is an architect as well as a ceramic artist, and his work here reflects this, with its
architectural lines, angles, precision, and style. Michal's ceramics also show a Japenese influence, and have a certain
zen simplicity and many leave you wondering as to whether they are functional or purely artistic, or both. In fact, it is up to
each person to decide thier use, and therefore each will also reflect characteristics of the purchaser. Michal is a Muddum
house artist and his works are in the regular collection, and are available after this specific exhibition.
He can be contacted through Muddum or at schwarzmichal@seznam.cz.
September
Klara Duspivova (CZ): 'Air/Ground', ceramics
Klara uses clay to create fun and interesting objects. Many of them are practical and
grounded, including oil lamps, candle holders, toothbrush/paste containers, cups, or one of her
many other peices. But her sense of mischief doesn't limit itself to the practical, and her flying objects,
from golden hippos to strange morphological mixtures of biological forms that fly in the air from invisible
wires, testify to the wish of the lowly creatures that we are to reach higher and join the birds in the
sky. Another piece, while trying to take-off with arms outstretched, still has his feet stuck to
the ground, but the face shows that he is still flying in his dreams.
August
Leon Benjamin (UK): 'Projection', photo-exhibition.
"I have taken four images from a collection of hundreds as a gift to celibrate
the new life of Joe and Klarka together. All of these images have not been digitally
interfered with although two are negatives.
It is unimportant to guess at what was infront of the camera as the images were taken.
The concept of these images is projection of meaning. What I have set out to achieve is a collection
of images with which a person can contemplate and explore the meaning they put onto the images
and then perhaps also to explore the reasoning of the choice of their projection." - Leon Benjamin.
For more of his work see: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3768435631
June - July
Joe Dodds (UK): 'Potter's Square', Bhaktapur, Kathmandu Valley, Nepal.
A photo-gallery of the unique space in the ancient Royal city of Bhaktapur.
Of the three ancient kingdoms of the Kathmandu Valley, along with Kathmandu and Patan, this is
the most untouched by the impact of tourism, modernity, and 'development'. Potter's Square is in the
quarter of Talako, home to the potter caste of Bhaktapur, who make ceramics outside on homemade
wheels, dry them in symmetric patterns in the sun, and fire them stacked in layers in straw bonfires.
Muddum founders Joe and Klara went there as part of their 6 1/2 month journey through Asia in 2003.
There is also a photo of Klara looking inside a ruined kiln in the Si Satchanalai region of Thailand,
where the great Sawankhalok Ceramics were made between the mid-fourteenth and end of
the fifteenth centuries, some of the finest examples of the potter's art ever made.
