The envelope is one of Skála’s favourite motifs, a romantic rumination on a gradually disappearing form of communication. The artist’s ability to breathe poetic second life into everyday objects, as in the case of Letter – Butterfly Eyespot, is accompanied by humorous exaggeration. In this case, the exaggeration is literal, as the unexpected enlargement results in a monumentality elevating the ordinary envelope to cult object status. Thanks to his originality and creative courage, Skála is considered to be one of the best known Czech artists of his generation. This is evidenced by the high number of visitors who attended his latest National Gallery exhibition – where a wall of envelopes was one the most admired exhibits.
František Skála studied woodcarving at the Secondary School of Applied Arts in Prague (1971–1975) and film and television graphic design at the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague (1976–1982). He is a founding member of Tvrdohlaví (The Stubborn Group; 1987–1991) and a member of the secret organization B.K.S. (since 1974, the abbreviation stands for “The End Will Come”). His broad creative scope extends beyond the visual arts; he is a signer and musician with MTO Universal Praha and the Finnish Baroque band. He is a member of Sklep Theatre and the Tros Sketos vocal dance trio. In addition to film and theatre work, he has also co-authored several architectural projects, including e.g. the renowned interior of Akropolis Palace in Prague. He has illustrated over twenty books, many of which have won prestigious awards (Most Beautiful Czech Book of the Year award: 1984, 1989; IBBY Certificate of Honour for Illustrations: 1989, 2002, 2010; BIB Golden Apple: 2009). He has participated in over 140 collective and 50 solo exhibitions at home and abroad. In 1991 he won the Jindřich Chalupecký Award and the Arte Giovani di Europa Award. Two years later he went on to represent the Czech Republic at the 45th Venice Biennale. In 2010, he received the Ministry of Culture Award for his contribution to the visual arts.
František Skála’s works are included in the following collections:
Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague
National Gallery in Prague
Gallery of the Central Bohemian Region in Prague
Olomouc Museum of Art
Museum of Contemporary Arts, Sydney
North Bohemian Gallery of Fine Arts in Litoměřice
Benedikt Rejt Gallery – Louny
Regional Art Gallery Liberec
Gallery Klatovy Klenová
Moravian Gallery in Brno
Karlovy Vary Art Gallery
Gallery of Modern Art Roudnice nad Labem
Prague City Gallery
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