Dušan Polakovič's work is like leafing through life with a humorous undertone. In his presentation, common experiences are transformed into an unexpected form, which is accompanied by a number of bizarre characters. A sensitive ironic view creates a whimsical world in which nothing is serious and anything is possible. We do not find peace here, but on the contrary the strong energy of life and the joy of being as absurd as possible.
During his studies, Dušan Polakovič mastered the high quality of drawing, which he transformed into graphic art. As a pupil of Albín Brunovský, he was initially inspired by Dutch art of the 16th century, but later nature became his great muse. He admired it immensely and at the same time expressed his criticism of its destruction through his works (Attention reservation, Tribute to G. Durrell). He also portrayed his hometown Bratislava in an unmistakable way, where he combined its history, known and unknown characters and bizarre experiences on a graphic sheet, which directly attract us to visit it. In his other works, we find references to historical and mythological stories that mix with fictional scenery. In the end, everything mixes with everything in a satirical concept that encourages us viewers to have an open and unencumbered view of the world. Because only with open perception can life show us its broad spectrum and unlimited creativity. Only then can we take serious things with humor and perceive life as one big theater. And maybe that's one of the legacies of Dušan Polakovič's work...
Date of the exhibition: 10.05. - 03.06.2022
Place: Art Books Coffee, Baštová 6 / B, Bratislava
Open: MON-FRI 14:00-18:00
Free entrance
Curator: Melita Fodor Gwerková
Dušan Polakovič
(1950 - 2016, Bratislava) Leading Slovak graphic artist, illustrator, painter and cartoonist. From 1970 to 1972 he studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw (Poland) and then from 1972 to 1976 he studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Bratislava with prof. Albín Brunovský. He made his debut as an illustrator in 1979 with the book The Lover (a selection from Italian Renaissance short stories). In his work, he liked to humorously portray various historical or mythological stories. He has received several awards for his work. He was also the holder of the title DOCTOR HUMORIS CAUSA, which was awarded to him at the Malostranská beseda in Prague in 1985. He published cartoon humor in newspapers and magazines. He devoted himself to illustration, painting, free graphics and satirical drawing.
AWARDS / selection /
2011 - II. award - Opera - Ballet - National Theater, Warsaw (PL)
2007 - Journalist Award, Bratislava (SK)
2006 - Golden Gun, Kremnické gagy, Kremnica (SK)
2003 - Ľudovít Full Prize for children's book illustrations, Bratislava (SK)
2001 - Main Prize of the Museum of Cartoons in Warsaw, Legnica (PL)
1998 - Honorable mention in the competition for the Most Beautiful Book for Children, Bratislava (SK)
1997 - Grand Prize at the Biennial of Satirical Drawing, Písek (CZ)
1995 - Honorable mention: Cena Galerie U Prstenu, Písek (CZ)
1994 - FECO Prize, Brussels (BE)
1993 - Grand Prix, Slovak Gags, Kremnica (SK)
1987 - Jean Effel Award, Havana (CU)
1985 - BLR Government Committee for Culture Award at the International Biennial of Humor and Satire, Gabrovo (BG)
1981 - Honorable mention in the competition for the most beautiful book of the year for the book Žihadlice (SK)
1980 - 2nd Prize at the International Biennial of Humor and Satire, Skopje (MK)
Supported using public funding by Slovak Arts Council.
