Lenka Konopasek's Projects

MFA Alumni

Major: Painting

Graduation Year: 2001

Artist Statement:

My paper constructions are explorations into a theme of natural and manmade disaster I have been exploring for the last several years in my work. This theme emerged from my own personal anxieties as well as the world events.

Even though carnage from a natural disaster or war is disturbing and damaging, brute force and brutality can be intoxicating and seductive. I translate these images into more abstract objects with prickly textures and complex structures. My sculptures are constructed from various paper parts resembling architectural elements. Every part is painstakingly hand made and assembled into larger installation. I like working with paper for its fragility and accessibility. It is a common material with a long history that can be manipulated in many different ways.

I am interested in assembling and breaking down structures creating scenes and objects bristling with tension somewhere between beautiful and dangerous.

Biography:

I was born in the Czech Republic where I started to study art. After immigrating to the United States, I received BFA degree from University of Utah and MFA degree from Maine College of Art in Portland, Maine. I attended artist residencies in Vermont Studio Center, Chicago Art Institute and Little Falls, Minnesota.
My paintings and sculptures have been exhibited widely throughout United States, Taiwan, Germany, India and Czech Republic. I also completed several large public art projects in Utah. My work has been featured twice in the New American Painting and in Studio Visit Magazines. Recently I participated in several group exhibitions in Los Angeles, Mobile AL, Atlanta, Columbus, Indianapolis, Boca Raton and Akron, OH.