Slovak Renaissance

When Beauty Comes to Light

Petra Lajdová (1978) Slovakia, Bratislava. 

Artist statement:
I am seeking to renew interest in traditional art, offering a modern view of precious cultural heritage to today’s generations.. I aim to see new way of communicating concepts, renewing forgotten and linking it with symbols and cultures all over the world where I see no borders and limits for mutual understanding and inspiration. Simplicity is crucial. I honor aesthetics and harmoniously combine the objects, light, the models in a unity.
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Photography became a part of my life and professional development during my stay in Prague (1999-2004).  I won an award in the Czech Republic in 2006 for my creative portrait entitled “Sebeláska” (Self-love). I then began to photograph portraits of artists and nudes. I perfected my craft at internships and during stays in France (2007 - 2010).
From 2008 to 2010 I had solo exhibitions and group exhibitions within the framework of significant artistic events in Piešťany and Bratislava. In summer 2008 my photos accompanied “Viva Musica!” music festival of a classic in Bratislava´s old center. In summer 2009 I exhibited works "Passionately with feeling" (2004-2008) in the old cultural town of Piešťany. In November 2009, I exhibited my creative concept accomplished for the Notabene charity organization promotion in accordance with its 8th anniversary. I carried out the original concept called “We help them to take off” and received first respectful media recognition. In September 2010, I exhibited portraits named “Are we different or not” on the New Bridge over the river Danube of the Capital in Slovakia.
In August 2014, I presented renaissance of the art and aesthetics of Slovak traditional folk costumes named “Slovak Renaissance”, the first modern art photographic display of Slovak Folk Art and cultural heritage in Slovakia. In 2016 my work was presented in Paris at EURO2016 (country representation). In February 2017, I had solo exhibition at Miloš Alexander Bazovský fine art gallery in Trenčín in Slovakia and achieved over 4200 recording visitors (record turnout of the gallery).
Slovak Renaissance artwork showed great solo exhibition display at prestigious Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum in Slovakia in summer 2017 (2.6.-3.9.2017). Visitors had a great opportunity to see these large-format photographs within great exhibition space in Europe.
In 2018, I exhibited in London, as part of the “Another Europe” group exhibition to celebrate the European Year of Cultural Heritage and in the autumn 2018 in Rome at the international group exhibition entitled “The Essential.” In spring 2019, I exhibited in the cultural capital of Romania, Sibiu, as part of the second edition of “Another Europe” exhibition, held by Austrian Cultural Forum in Romania.

Petra Lajdová is available for gallery display, various art exhibitions, art fairs and rents. Her photography is available for sale as limited and unlimited edition of the original art prints. She works in Bratislava and abroad. 

Exhibits

2019 - "ANOTHER EUROPE", SIBIU, Romania, curated by Hamish Park, The Austrian Cultural Forum Bucharest in collaboration with EUNIC Romania, the European Commission Representation in Romania and the Municipality of Sibiu, an outdoor exhibition featuring 28 photographs, one from each EU Member-State, which explores the diversity of European Heritage. On view: April 18th - May 16th, 2019

2018 - "The Essential", Rome, Italy, Millepiani, curated by Loosenart, international group exhibition, November 2018

2018 - "ANOTHER EUROPE", London Kings Cross, UK, group exhibition of European Heritage as representing artist for Slovakia, around the Kings Cross area of London, along King’s Boulevard and Pancras Square, curated by Hamish Park, UK, Austrian Cultural Forum London in collaboration with the Representation of the European Commission in the UK and EUNIC (European Union National Institutes of Culture), July 2018

2017 - Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum,photography art exhibition "Slovak Renaissance" ...when beauty comes to light, Slovakia, opening ceremony June 2. The exhibition will run until September 3, 2017.

2017 -  Miloš Alexander Bazovský Gallery in Trenčín, "Slovak Renaissance" ...revealing beauty form the shadows, Slovakia, photography art exhibition, curator: Elena Porubänová, GMAB, Trenčín (2.2. 2017 - 26.3. 2017), Slovakia

2016 –  “EURO2016” Paris, La Place de L’Hotel de Ville – Esplanade de la Liberation, “Slovak Renaissance” digital and print presentation, “beauty and art of fashion” portfolio, photographer’s profile (GOOD IDEA SLOVAKIA - country representation), France

2015 - Monaco, Grimaldi Forum, Avenue Princesse Grace, photography work presentation

2014 – “SLOVAK RENAISSANCE” – Revealing Beauty from the Shadows, beauty and estetics of Slovak folk art, art exhibition with international impact showing wedding ceremony headpieces of the traditional female dress focus on the design and ornaments of traditional feminine symbols, modern art work shows respect and appreciation for tradition and Slovak ancestors values, Piešťany – city of culture, Kursalon, Slovakia

2010 – co-author of photo exhibition entitled “Sme či nie sme iní” (Are we different or not?) on the SNP Bridge over the Danube, under the auspices of the nonprofit organization Proti Prúdu o.z., Slovakia

2009 – “Pomáhame odraziť sa” (Helping them bounce back), a nontraditional concept exhibition presenting activities by the nonprofit organization devoted to homeless people, Notabene. Exhibit presented at the main railway stations in Slovakia

2009 – “Vášnivo a s citom” (Passionately and with feeling), Piešťany, city of culture – a modest collection, Slovakia

2008 – Carlton Hotel, Bratislava, private collection, Slovakia

2008 – the Viva Musica festival, a “rebelliously” communicated classical music event held in the courtyard of the Old City Hall in Bratislava, Slovakia