Vladimír Houdek has long navigated a delicate balance between illusion and reality, concrete motifs and geometric abstraction, space and surface, and the interplay of rigid rules with organic accidents. He works in open-ended series, creating numerous variations in painting, drawing, and collage based on predetermined norms. His formal inspiration draws from the past, yet through the lens of geometry and the emotional impact of optical illusions, Houdek addresses contemporary themes. A continuous source of inspiration for the artist is 15th and 16th-century cosmological maps—admired for their imaginative and functional geometry, which possesses undeniable artistic value. His work is also influenced by the futuristic fascination with machines and industrial development, the surrealist manipulation of reality, the repetitive patterns of architecture, and the illusions created by Op art structures.

Houdek’s first solo exhibition in Slovakia, titled “Head upside down”, presents a new series of works that reflect his past experiences while introducing fresh artistic approaches. After focusing on conceptually driven series of text-based paintings resembling fictional book covers (Polis or Atilis Press) and figurative-geometric pieces that combine painting with collage (Kabuki), he now returns to expressive abstract geometry.

This latest series features Houdek’s hallmark use of circular motifs and stacked polygonal shapes, arranged in axial symmetry to create imaginative, dynamic forms. The stark contrast between black and white, combined with alternating filled and edged shapes, along with smooth gradients, produces a sense of volume and depth on the canvas. A new spectrum of yellow, which evolves throughout the series, introduces an additional layer of dynamism. Yellow, often associated with the sun and symbolic of optimism, joy, and energy, contrasts sharply with black, signaling caution and danger. The subtle variations in the backgrounds enhance the energy of the paintings while emphasizing the central elements.

In the past, Houdek often referenced the aesthetics of factory symbols through stylized forms. In his current work, however, he focuses on abstract repetitions of shapes without assigning them specific meanings, leaving their interpretation to the viewer’s imagination. Whether they evoke domes of sacred buildings or gothic architectural elements, these geometric forms elicit emotions and automatic imagery. The futuristic sense of fragmented movement and dynamic repetition creates a feeling of static motion, drawing the viewer into the depths of the black-and-white universe, inviting us to gradually shift our perspective.

Though Houdek’s works may initially appear strict and rigid due to their geometric precision, deeper exploration reveals textured surfaces, organic details, and random elements that would not exist in a perfectly digital world. The raw, handcrafted quality of the framing, at times almost sculptural, emphasizes the physical act of painting, making us aware of the tangible, real-world process behind the work.

Vladimír Houdek (born 1984, Nové Město na Moravě) lives and works in Prague. He graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague in 2013, where he studied in the studio of Vladimír Skrepl and completed internships with guest teachers in Šaloun’s studio (Silke Otto-Knapp and Jan Merta). In 2012, Houdek was awarded the Jindřich Chalupecký Prize, and in 2010, he won the Critics’ Prize for Young Painting. He has had solo exhibitions in galleries such as Galerie Krinzinger in Vienna, Polansky Gallery in Prague/Brno, the National Gallery in Prague, NoD in Prague, Czech Centre Berlin, GAVU Cheb, Galerie Kai Erdmann in Hamburg, and PLATO Ostrava. His work is widely represented in both public and private collections.

Source text: Michal Stolárik / Comma Gallery