Cyril Uhnák develops his own artistic program on the basic of long-run self-reliant study artwork classical Antiquity, masters of "Italian Cinquecento", painting heritage of P.P. Rubens, precission architecture vedutista A. Canaletto, light of C. Monet and van Gogh, dramatic of F. Marc and L. Feininger and A. Brunovský on the wood.

1959 - born in Slovakia in Čajkov
1974 - 1978 Grammar School in Levice
1978 - 1983 Slovak Technical University in Bratislava
1983 - 1993 work in graduated profession
1993 - freelance painter 

My journey to visual art was long, full of bends and crossroads.

In the beginning I admired Slovak painter Martin Benka. I learned from the works of Impressionists C.Monet, P. Cézane, and expressive fateful artist Franz Marc. In 1978 I travelled to Italy. Strong direct contact with top works of artistic world in Vienna, Venice, Florence, Rome and Naples have left in me a strong and indelible mark. During stud at the Slovak Technical University, parallel I was visiting galleries, painting and drawing. For a short time I have also worked in stonemasonry studio of the Fine Arts Centre in Bratislava.

Following the social changes after 1989, new opportunities have opened up. In 1993 I have definitely left my original vocation and started from zero. I've joined my "Second University".

I approached  works tested by the time and I tried. From Van Gogh I progressed to mysterious Frenchman Claude Lorrain and his chiaroscuro (see page "Gallery-In Traces of Old Masters", pic.6) Painting of still-life with flowers I was verifying on Dutch artist Jan Brueghel sr. (pic.8), figurative on Rembrandt (pic.7) and Michelangelo sibyls and prophets (pic.9) from the Sistine Chapel. I was greatly impressed also by the gleam of light and wide open spaces, disappearing in great heights in frescoes by Giambattista Tiepolo. Composition full of life, excitement and colour I have tried on Rubens's Kidnapping of the Leukipp's Daughters (pic.10). I've spend a great deal of time painting architecture of the greatest vedutista of the 18th century Antonio Canaletto (pic.1-5) and his nephew Bernardo Belotto. From other painters of architecture it was the variations on a theme architecture and light by Claude Monet and Lyonel Feininger.

Several years of studying works of old masters had strong impact on my individual artistic style. The result is complicated technical procedure and sophisticated colour build-up of the space. I was searching for a form, which would be free from gallery constraints and accented colour expression, all of which with emphasis on maintaining the topic's identity. In my works I often point to a detail which becomes the centre of the composition. Dominant element is light, which in its maximum intensity accentuates the shadows and forms  of the architecture (see page "Gallery-Architecture Painting"), figure (see page "Gallery-Figurative Painting") or nature. Direct and indirect, often being a spotlight, it vibrates throughout the whole picture. Seemingly accidental brush strokes are replacing original concrete objects from the works of old Masters, thus balancing the colour composition. I am interested in interaction between the displayed forms with constant but also dramatic abstract background. I do not attempt destruction of form or colour at any price. I offer harmony without dissonant chords. My colour is multilayered. Repeated overlapping of layers gives the finished work completeness and depth.

I like a wood, his structure, forms and colours. As an individual part of my creation I also introduce work on massive pieces of wood inspired by great Slovak painter A. Brunovsky - trying to develop his bequest (see page "Gallery-Painting on massive wood") .

I am glad that my pursuit of beauty has won public appreciation. Since 1992 I held several exhibitions in Slovakia in Bratislava, Piešťany, Levice, as well as abroad - in German Lauda and in Frankfurt on Main, in USA - Seattle, Thailand - Bangkok, Spain - Puerto Andratx.

Danube cycle (see page "Gallery-Danube cycle") which was in process at me for several years is so far the pinnacle of my individual effort. 

Cyril Uhnák
Bratislava, September 2005