Ema Lopez

A Glimpse Into Czech Culture

My artwork is all about my journey to connect with my Czech heritage. I have created pieces that explore my love for famous Czech artists, traditions, and architecture, all of which are really important to me. To bring out the essence of these ideas, I have experimented with different media like acrylic, clay, pen and ink, Posca materials, and soft pastels. Although each medium is distinct, they all contribute to the presentation of my culture.

My journey begins with a self-portrait influenced by Mucha, a well-known Czech artist who worked in the Art Nouveau movement. By taking inspiration from his art,  I wanted to emphasize that this was the beginning of my adventure. Next is my own interpretation of traditional Christmas angel ornaments that I sculpted with clay. One is colored white and the other brown, but united with a thin piece of rope, representing love and human connection. I also created a drawing of an astronomical clock, which shows off the beautiful and intricate architecture of Czechia. And in my apple painting, I used vibrant colors to symbolize health, luck, and cultural importance.

Working with all these different materials has taught me so much. For example, I had to learn to mix colors, add texture, and layer in acrylic painting. With clay, I learned how to smooth out surfaces and hatching areas that would soon be stuck together. Also, using soft pastels, which may be challenging to work with, I learned how to mix and create shadows for my self-portrait. 

My experiences and memories of the Czech Republic and its customs have had a significant impact on all of my work. As I have lived in so many different countries, I occasionally neglected my own culture. Yet, I am celebrating my heritage and sharing it through making these pieces. I want people to be intrigued by my artwork and maybe even visit the Czech Republic someday. I aim to inspire and educate others about the depth of our culture by displaying my work.