Martin Šárovec’s work is a prominent presence on the current Czech art scene, drawing from two traditions – the classic Czech expressionist school and the so-called Czech grotesque. He presents painting as a joyful expression, openly processing every experience and emotion. His work fearlessly portrays both introspection and criticism of today’s consumerist, over-technologized society with exceptional power and eagerness.
A significant motif in his work is the portrait, where he emphasizes the expression of a human face connected to the inner world. He paints not only anonymous people, but also famous personalities such as actors Josef Kemr, Petr Čepka, and Jana Brejchová. Another theme is the city, predominantly Prague, a place he has a personal and emotional connection to. He chooses bustling streets, iconic places, and buildings. His paintings reveal a profound knowledge of the metropolis and its historical context. Martin Šárovec constantly evolves his artistic style, combining acrylic paints with spray, sometimes allowing the underpainting to show, while in other places, the pristine canvas is deliberately destroyed with black lines or gentle blurring. This intensifies the psychological impact of the artwork on the viewer.
Martin Šárovec (*1977)
