Eva Maceková Studio Visit
Eva Maceková is a Slovak painter and illustrator based in Prague. We recently had the pleasure of visiting Eva in her newly established studio to explore her latest works. Join us for an intimate look into the artistic world of Eva Maceková.
When I visited you at the studio a few weeks ago, you had only been there a week. Had you settled in? Has anything changed?
I think I've settled in as much as possible. Nothing has changed since you visited. I'm preparing for an exhibition, so I've postponed making any major adjustments. I have the bare essentials, but I’d like to make more changes over time.
By the way, your studio is in a former sanatorium surrounded by trees, bushes, and grass. It seems like the perfect place for a studio, almost like a dream come true. Was it a coincidence that you found it, or did it take months of searching?
The setting here is beautiful—peaceful, with better light for working. My previous studio was in Vršovice at Petrohradská kolektiv, which is due to be demolished soon. I knew the collective was looking for new spaces, so I waited a few months and then moved here.
You first studied textiles at UMPRUM and then moved to the drawing studio. This transition is quite evident in your work. How did you get into painting? Have you been thinking about other media?
I had been thinking about oil painting for a very long time, but I didn’t have the means or space for it. Last year, my brother gave me some financial support, so I invested in a studio, materials, and began to focus on painting intensively. I’m not considering other media at the moment.
Currently, you are painting creatures that resemble humans but can take root in the soil and hibernate like plants. Will you continue to develop this theme, or are you planning something new? Are you going to have an exhibition soon?
I’m currently preparing an exhibition with Iva Davidová, which will be in August at the FaVU Gallery. I am thinking about a change, but I have no idea what direction I will take yet. Over the past six months, I’ve gone through many changes and haven’t had much time or space to delve deeply into new ideas, so I’m continuing with the plant-based creatures, as I haven’t exhausted that theme yet.
Thanks Eva for your time.
