Hynek Martinec
Hynek Martinec is a figurative painter based in South London. In this episode he talks about his big museum show in Prague in 2018. his immersive research process and referencing history.
Five things I learned from Hynek
He has an immersive research period where he delves deep into the subjects of his interest. For his show in Prague he took years looking at Baroque painting in central Europe and Britain and identifying how each culture responded differently to what we collectively refer to as Baroque as a period.
Each research period takes about 6 months to settle in and then 3-4 years to develop. He says the painting is a result of his research rather than making paintings alongside researching.
Hynek uses memorable elements or features from old master paintings in his own work such as a hand in The Execution of Lady Jane Grey in his current work in progress.
He found working with museums a slow process as their considerations around security, funding and personnel often led to delayed responses in developing the projects. By contrast he says that working with commercial galleries a more agile and responsive process.
He currently is one of a number of artists showing at the National Museum in Stockholm in a show called Iconic Works where a number of contemporary artists respond to classics of European Art. Exhibition ends 20th May 2020.
Installation at National Gallery Prague. A dominantly monochrome palette across the paintings for this exhibition
The Last Portrait of Harvey Weinstein by Hynek Martinec
Paintings by Hynek Martinec, Voyage to Iceland, National Gallery Prague, 2018.