On the occasion of Oldřich Kulhánek's exhibition: Courage and Fantasy at the Czech Gallery of Modern Art, a monograph of the same name by the author was also published in a limited edition, bringing together the best of his work on 200 pages. It features many well-known and lesser-known works, complemented by engaging text from the exhibition curator, Mr. Jiří Machalický.
The exhibition presented a cross-section of the lifelong work of one of our most prominent draughtsmen and graphic artists of the second half of the 20th century, recalling his work during the period of persecution by the communist regime and subsequently the post-1989 freedom, when he rightly became a respected and recognized artist again, and, among other things, the author of the complete series of banknotes for the new Czech state.
Oldřich Kulhánek was born on February 26, 1940, in Prague, where he later graduated from the Academy of Arts, Architecture, and Design in the studio of Professor Karel Svolinský. He was a Czech painter, graphic artist, and illustrator. He is not only the author of the graphic design of current Czech banknotes but also created many Czech postage stamps and countless graphic prints and lithographs.
He received numerous prestigious awards, and his works are represented in many world collections. The foundation of Kulhánek's work was primarily graphic art and drawing, often focusing on human physiognomy and expressing the facial features into which the character traits, living conditions, and personal experiences of the figures he captured in his works were inscribed.
In addition to his artistic work, he also worked as a stage designer and educator. He was the president of the Hollar Foundation, which supports, protects, and develops Czech artistic graphic art and drawing. He died in Prague on January 28, 2013.
Oldřich Kulhánek: Courage and Fantasy
Text: Dr. Jiří Machalický
Photos: Jakub Ludvík, Martin Říha
Graphic design: Karel Scherzer
Pages: 198
23.5x31.5 cm
Published by: Vydavatelství X2015 s. r. o., Čs. armády 872/33, 160 00 Prague 6, in 2023
Printed by: PBtisk a. s., Dělostřelecká 344, 261 01 Příbram ISBN: 978-80-906069-8-2
