A cross-craft exploration of form
- Tadeas’ sculptures explore transformation and hybrid natures
- He feels a resonance with JB Blunk’s approach and pioneering works
- Technology complements his connection to materials
Tadeas Podracky’s creative path spans graphic design, glass art, and wood sculpting. He pursued a master’s degrees in glass at the Academy of Arts Architecture and Design in Prague (UMPRUM) and in contextual design at Design Academy Eindhoven. He further trained with internships at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague and at the School of Visual Arts in New York, as well as through residencies on glass at Wheaton Arts in New Jersey, through researching traditional Chinese crafts in Hangzhou, working with traditional Venetian mirror craftspeople in Venice, and further glass studies at Schloss Hollenegg in Austria. Most recently, Tadeas went on a teaching fellowship in Hong Kong. “The multi-faceted people and diverse environments, especially during residencies, shape my practice year after year,” he remarks. "I advise aspiring artists at UMPRUM to work hard, stay curious, and try different methods and environments to develop their unique voice."
Interview
- What led you to choose wood as your material?
- It happened gradually. Working in a glass factory and residencies in glass art opened the door to craft. During my master’s in Eindhoven, I wanted to craft more with my hands, and I chose wood for its visual strength. When I returned home in 2020, I delved into nature, felt a deeper connection to the land, and began sculpting using local woods.
- What themes do you explore in your works?
- My sculptures explore transformation and hybridism, inspired by folk traditions. The Bloom of Bones is a body of work that references Czech folk rituals and the contemporary shifts in materials used. This raises questions about evolving meanings, and such topics intrigue me.
- Could you walk us through your creative process?
- I start by exploring a principle through research and I sketch extensively to translate the idea into materials and forms. I then craft models using found materials like foam or cardboard. Once I have a full-scale model, I draw multiple perspectives and begin carving in wood.
- What techniques do you use in your work?
- My works are expressionistic, as such, my hands do the work. I use traditional techniques such as hand carving and chiseling. I use a combination of hand and power tools. I am restless in my exploration and often experiment with technology. I once did a collaboration with a robotic hand.
Tadeas Podracky is an expert artisan: he began his career in 2010 and he started teaching in 2022
Where
Tadeas Podracky
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