Sculpture is a Play with Matter in Space
Figurative and portrait sculpture, despite technological advancements, retains a significant position in art and continues to evolve. The artist ingeniously reveals not only the external but also the internal, invisible world of the portrayed subject. In matter, they shape a person’s identity while leaving behind their own traces – the marks of the creator. A portrait thus becomes a message embedded in matter. For me, the joy of sculpture begins where the mere imitation of reality ends and autonomous creation of a new, yet unknown interpretation takes shape.
Mgr. art. Ján Frančák, ArtD.
Education
2011 – 2015 Academy of Arts in Banská Bystrica, Faculty of Fine Arts Department of Sculpture – Doctoral Studies (ArtD.)
2012 – 2013 Academy of Fine Arts in Prague, Internship – Studio of Figurative Sculpture and Medal Art
2005 – 2011 Academy of Arts in Banská Bystrica Master’s Degree (Mgr. art.) – Studio of Figurative Expression
2001 – 2005 Secondary Industrial School in Spišská Nová Ves Field of Study – Stone Sculpture
Exhibitions
2022: QUO VADIS, Ján Mudroch Gallery of Zahorie, Senica
2022: Adam, Where Are You – EQO Spišský Hrhov (Interactive Culture Space)
2021: International Exhibition Project Human Animal I. – Gallery of Artists of Spiš
2021: Art Festival Konverzia, Dubnica nad Váhom
2019: Authorial Realization of the Object “In the Image” for EQO Spišský Hrhov (Interactive Culture Space)
2017 Department of Sculpture in Spatial Design, FVU AU in BB, PRIESTURE IN SPACE, Galerie Kaple, Valašské Meziříčí, Czech Republic
2016 Resculpture, Statua Gallery in Bratislava
2015 “WE AND THEM”, Gallery of the City of Levoča, video excerpt from the exhibition
2015 Only Sculpture/Tylko rzeźba, Academy of Arts in Wroclaw, Poland
2015 Fine ArtD. 3., Central Slovak Gallery in Banská Bystrica
2014 Trenčín 2014, Selection of contemporary Slovak chamber sculpture, A. Bazovsky in Trencin
2014 Banská Bystrica Stucco, Pisztory Palace, Bratislava
2014 Collective Opening Exhibition, Gallery of the City of Levoča
2014 Young Horses IV (light art exhibition), Koniareň, Trebišov
2013 Young Horses II (exhibition of young Slovak sculptors), Koniareň, Trebišov
2013 MIX blood, East Slovak Gallery, Košice
2012 Lýdia Kratina Sokol and Koloman, Peter Michal Bohúň Gallery –Koloman Sokol Centre, Liptovský Mikuláš
2012 Figurama , Tomáš Baťa University in Zlín, Faculty of Multimedia Communications, Zlín, Czech Republic
2012 Figurama , Institute of Art and Design, University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, Pilsen, Czech Republic
2012 4views, Fx Gallery, Academy of Arts in Banská Bystrica
2012 Figurama, Prague – Ruzyně Airport, Terminal 2, Prague, Czech Republic
2012 Figurama, Faculty of Architecture, Czech Technical University, Prague, Czech Republic
2007 Talents – 6th triennial of art school students, Záhorská gallery, Senica
2007: Talenty – 6. trienále poslucháčov výtvarných škôl, Záhorská galéria, Senica
Realizations
I consider the portrait of Štefan Barnáš (2023) to be one of my recent achievements. It was selected for the international exhibition “FACE 2024” by the Society of Portrait Sculptors in London. Although it was not ultimately included in the final exhibition, I still see the selection as a significant recognition of my work. Among my notable realizations is a series of busts of Alphonse-Marie Eppinger, one of which is permanently installed in Notre-Dame Cathedral in Strasbourg. Other busts are located in Pittsburgh (USA), Rome (Italy), and Spišská Nová Ves (Slovakia). Each portrait is valuable to me—not only as a representation of physical likeness but also as a way of understanding personality and embedding a message in the material. For instance, the relief of Štefan Fogaš, the bust of Štefan Barnáš, Anna K., and Koloman Sokol are installed in various locations across Slovakia. I deeply appreciate the moments when I can focus on my own artistic projects. Some of these include the sculptural composition “Where Are You, Adam?” and my collaboration with Juraj Toman on the project “Toman’s Dream.”
