VLADIMIR SUCHANEK

Vladimír Suchánek (1933-2021) was a renowned Czech graphic artist, academic painter, member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, and long-time chairman of the Hollar Association of Czech Graphic Artists. He studied fine arts first at the Faculty of Education of Charles University, then at the Academy of Fine Arts in the graphics school of Professor Vladimír Silovský.

Over the following decades, he became one of the leading representatives of Czech art graphics and an internationally respected master of the lithography technique. Vladimír Suchánek's work is based on the aesthetics of Art Nouveau and symbolism. He most often drew themes from mythology, poetry, fine art, and music.

In addition to his independent work, Suchánek dedicated himself to book illustration, ex-libris, and postage stamp designs. The artist's love for music is revealed by the frequent musical themes in his work. Vladimír Suchánek was also a clarinetist and founder of the band Grafičanka, for which he engaged other musically talented artist-graphic designers: Jaroslav Hořánek, Jiří Anderle, Karel Demel, and Jiří Slíva.

In 1990, Vladimír Suchánek was instrumental in the restoration of the Hollar Association of Czech Graphic Artists, whose activities had been halted by the normalisation communist regime in the early 1970s. For his dedication in serving the common interest and for the general respect among artists, he was elected to head the Hollar association in 1995. He served as chairman for twenty years, after which he was honorary chairman of the association until the end of his life.