Spotlight on Anna Bochkova at Tomas Umrian Contemporary, Bratislava, Slovakia

Munchies Art Club Magazine is excited to feature Anna Bochkova’s latest exhibition, "Reaching the Earth," currently on view at Tomas Umrian Contemporary in Bratislava, Slovakia.

As a metaphor for an idealistic and even utopian attitude, it is fairly worn out. In this sense, “Reaching the Earth” may point to a new view on our lives, today’s conditions and a hopeful and productive imaginary. Quote by Tomas Umrian Contemporary Gallery, Bratislava

Bochkova, an accomplished visual artist based in Hamburg, Germany, and Vienna, Austria, engages with themes of utopia, the future, and humanity through varied media including papier-mâché, ceramics, textiles, metal, and drawing.

anna bochkova's 'reaching the earth' exhibition at tomas umrian contemporary explores mythological sculpture
Are you drawn to the mythological realms crafted by Anna Bochkova? Delve into her captivating exhibition 'Reaching the Earth' at Tomas Umrian Contemporary, and explore a landscape where sculpture meets narrative. | Adam Šakovy / Tomas Umrian Contemporary
anna bochkova's sculptural installation at tomas umrian contemporary featuring figures on metal tables
In this captivating installation by Anna Bochkova at Tomas Umrian Contemporary, the artist's sculptural works are dramatically displayed on a series of stark, black tables, transforming the gallery space into a vibrant tableau of mythological exploration. Bochkova's use of ceramic creates a textured, earthy quality that contrasts sharply with the industrial minimalism of the tables. Each figure, distinct in posture and expression, appears caught in a moment of narrative—some recline, others reach upward, and a few interact in dynamic arrangements, suggesting a complex story or ritual frozen in time | Adam Šakovy / Tomas Umrian Contemporary

Educated at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna and HFBK Hamburg, her works create a mythological space for critical reflection and dialogue.

Her graphical pieces depict care in futuristic settings, drawing on Eastern European utopian theories reimagined for today's context.

Her figurative ceramics explore issues like power dynamics and feminist theory, infusing personal mythology with her experience as a female artist with migratory roots.

anna bochkova, artist, installation view, tomas umrian contemporary bratislava now on view
The installation’s composition invites viewers to navigate around and between the tables, encouraging a circular and immersive experience that reveals new details and perspectives at every angle. Bochkova’s work delves into themes of humanity, connection, and the mystical, using physical form and spatial arrangement to provoke thought and emotional response from the audience. This setup not only highlights her skillful craftsmanship and imaginative vision but also establishes a dialogue with the viewer, where each piece contributes to a larger, interpretive exploration of human experiences and mythological echoes. | Adam Šakovy / Tomas Umrian Contemporary
anna bochkova combines historical imagery with modern clay frames at tomas umrian contemporary
Anna Bochkova's artwork, displayed at Tomas Umrian Contemporary, presents a compelling blend of traditional imagery and modern material execution. In these pieces, historical drawings are encased within irregular, flowing borders of clay, suggesting an intriguing dialogue between the rigid confines of tradition and the organic, evolving nature of contemporary artistic expression. The figures, rendered in a classical style, are juxtaposed against the rough, textured edges of the clay frames, further emphasizing the contrast between the old and the new. | Adam Šakovy / Tomas Umrian Contemporary

Anna Bochkova’s work has been showcased in a multitude of prestigious venues, including solo and group exhibitions at Belvedere 21 Museum Vienna, Kunsthaus Hamburg, and Kunstraum Super Vienna.

Her ability to weave complex narratives through her art has earned her a respected place in the international art scene.

"anna bochkova's aerial sculpture installation at tomas umrian contemporary features textured, floating forms
Anna Bochkova's installation at Tomas Umrian Contemporary redefines the gallery space with a striking arrangement of suspended sculptures. Each piece, resembling a fragmented animal form, is intricately crafted from materials that give a textured, almost fossil-like appearance. Hung at different heights, these sculptures create a serene, floating tableau, evoking a sense of weightlessness and the passage of time. The installation's minimalist backdrop accentuates the raw, organic qualities of the sculptures, allowing them to dominate the space visually and thematically | Adam Šakovy / Tomas Umrian Contemporary

"Reaching the Earth" exemplifies Bochkova’s talent for merging complex narratives with societal themes, offering a profound and engaging art experience. Visit Tomas Umrian Contemporary to see her compelling work firsthand.

About "Reaching the Earth" by Anna Bochkova:

In many religious traditions the first human being was made out of clay. Some fictional stories tell us that mankind came from another planet.

In some way, biologists say the same if they suppose that terrestrial life originally came from outer space.

The arrangement invites viewers to engage with each sculpture individually while appreciating the collective narrative and thematic cohesion. Bochkova's artistry in blending the human form with abstract elements creates a dynamic visual dialogue within the space, offering a profound exploration of human experiences and emotions through clay and mixed media | Adam Šakovy / Tomas Umrian Contemporary

However, the scenery which the Hamburg based artist Anna Bochkova presents to us, emerges somewhere between materialism and spiritualism.

The exhibition "Reaching the Earth" by Anna Bochkova at Tomas Umrian Contemporary highlights a blend of dynamic sculptures and immersive installations, as captured in the promotional image detailing the show's duration from June 18 to July 26, 2024. This carefully curated exhibition spans both classical and contemporary artistic methods, showcasing Bochkova's unique vision through contrasting materials and forms, inviting visitors to explore the intersection of human form with abstract design. | Adam Šakovy / Tomas Umrian Contemporary

In our present days, “reaching the sky” appears suspicious – seriously only represented in the ambitious space programs of the leading nations.

As a metaphor for an idealistic and even utopian attitude, it is fairly worn out. In this sense, “Reaching the Earth” may point to a new view on our lives, today’s conditions and a hopeful and productive imaginary.

anna bochkova's floor installation at tomas umrian contemporary with clay spires and sprawling forms
The work's layout encourages viewers to meander through the installation, inviting a closer inspection of its intricate details and the interplay of shadows cast by both the forms themselves and the suspended sculptures above. This interactivity not only enhances the viewer's engagement with the artwork but also emphasizes the transient nature of the materials and themes explored in Bochkova's work | Adam Šakovy / Tomas Umrian Contemporary

Anna Bochkova's artworks, encased in uniquely sculpted clay frames, feature delicate graphite drawings that explore the intricate connections between human and nature. The drawings are rendered with a soft touch, depicting figures engaging tenderly with plants, a motif that emphasizes the symbiotic relationship between humanity and the environment. These vignettes are framed by the rough, organic contours of the clay, which contrast with the finesse of the graphite, highlighting the fragile balance between nature and human intervention. | Adam Šakovy / Tomas Umrian Contemporary

In this show, Anna Bochkova does not present the armour or the space suite, but very vulnerable beings, touching our souls.

Using basic and down-to-earth materials such as clay, metal and papier mâché, the instant connection to nature and environment is evident. But there is a shift.

anna bochkova's installation with white mesh globes and rusted chains at tomas umrian contemporary
The placement of these globes, both on the floor and slightly elevated, suggests a dynamic of rising or attempting to rise, tethered by the chains that ground them. This could be seen as a metaphor for the human condition or environmental constraints, a common theme in Bochkova's work, which often deals with the natural world and its interactions with human-made boundaries | Adam Šakovy / Tomas Umrian Contemporary

Clouds are uncannily sharp, and landscapes are in a process of transition. Bochkova poses a question: How can a deserted or not yet populated landscape become a shelter? And how can new forms of communication and patterns of interaction arise?

The creations and creatures the sculptress Bochkova shows today reach out for something not yet realized in the real world. It’s about the visual expression of a peaceful and tender finding.

She developed this language after focusing on concepts like housing, space and cosmos - and formally - on more minimal conceptualisations and by that enlarged her expressivity.

overview of anna bochkova's exhibition at tomas umrian contemporary, highlighting the artist's thematic exploration of human and natural worlds
In Anna Bochkova's comprehensive exhibition at Tomas Umrian Contemporary, the variety of pieces raises a compelling question: "What does Bochkova seek to convey through the contrasting textures and forms of her artwork?" The answer lies perhaps in her intention to explore the dialogues between natural and human-made worlds. Through the juxtaposition of organic clay sculptures against stark, drawn portraits and geometric shapes, Bochkova encourages viewers to reflect on the delicate balance between human intervention and the natural environment. | Adam Šakovy / Tomas Umrian Contemporary

Her use of raw, earthy materials alongside structured elements serves as a metaphor for the ongoing interaction between these two forces. This theme is consistently evident across her various works, suggesting an artistic pursuit to understand and represent the complexities of these interactions visually and conceptually. The exhibition's diverse array of sculptures and installations invites a deep engagement with themes of connectivity, impact, and coexistence, prompting viewers to consider their own relationship with the surrounding world. | Adam Šakovy / Tomas Umrian Contemporary

Rather than giving tribute to the vast oeuvre of sci-fi, she gives weight to the very human needs and deep wishes. The result is an ambiguous world of creatures, plants and objects, well-known and strange at the same time.

The installation consists of different zones that create a space, where we can think about non- hierarchical interactions between human beings and non-human others: as for example in the group ‘vulnerable dawn’ of ceramic human figures, which communicate with flowers and organic elements.

overview of anna bochkova's exhibition at tomas umrian contemporary showing various installations
The exhibition "Reaching the Earth" at Tomas Umrian Contemporary showcases the innovative work of Anna Bochkova, a promising artist whose installations create a deep and resonant dialogue between the natural world and human interpretation. The gallery, known for its focus on contemporary and cutting-edge art, provides the perfect backdrop for Bochkova's explorative sculptures and installations. The spacious and minimalist setting of Tomas Umrian enhances the visual impact of Bochkova's work, allowing each piece the spatial integrity needed to communicate its thematic depth | Adam Šakovy / Tomas Umrian Contemporary
overview of anna bochkova's exhibition at tomas umrian contemporary showing various installations now on view, Bratislava, Slovakia
Anna Bochkova's reputation as a promising artist is affirmed by her profound ability to blend organic materials with conceptual artistry. Her works displayed in the gallery not only demonstrate her technical skill but also her philosophical engagement with themes of connectivity and environmental interaction. The exhibition invites viewers to traverse a landscape of thought-provoking art that challenges perceptions of space, material, and form | Adam Šakovy / Tomas Umrian Contemporary

Their arrangement and poses express gestures of care towards each other. The big floor ensemble ‘Unkown Commitment’, that was already part of a group show in Belvedere 21, Vienna, invites you to lose the sense of dimensions as the micro and the macro perspectives are kept in a vague state.

Another level of meeting the conceptual world of Anna Bochkova is given by her drawings which are secured inside ceramic frames.

This choice of medium is significant as clay is one of the most primal and traditional materials used in art, representing the rawness of nature and human interaction with the earth. The chains and white globes interspersed among these clay formations introduce a contrast—between the grounding of the clay and the seeming attempt of the globes to rise above it, suggesting a dynamic tension between being rooted in reality and striving towards the ethereal or ideal. Bochkova's work challenges viewers to consider the ways in which they are connected to the natural world and the various forces that shape their perceptions of space and identity within it | Adam Šakovy / Tomas Umrian Contemporary

In these scenes we can get a glimpse, how humans of ‘tomorrow’ interact with the environment around them.


Do we need to be aliens in order to care for the space around us?

Tomas Umrian Contemporary in Bratislava stands as a beacon of modern art, frequently hosting exhibitions that challenge and intrigue.

This exhibition is a testament to both Bochkova’s growing influence in the contemporary art world and Tomas Umrian Contemporary's commitment to showcasing artists who push the boundaries of traditional art forms.| Adam Šakovy / Tomas Umrian Contemporary

The gallery is known for its commitment to showcasing innovative artists from around the globe, providing a platform for transformative dialogues between art and audiences.

For more information about current and upcoming exhibitions, follow Tomas Umrian Contemporary on Instagram or visit their website.

Munchies Art Club Magazine is proud to feature "Reaching the Earth," an evocative exhibition by Anna Bochkova, currently on display at Tomas Umrian Contemporary in Bratislava. Bochkova's work brilliantly explores the interplay between organic forms and conceptual artistry, making this exhibition a must-see for those visiting or residing in Bratislava. The blend of earthy clay sculptures with ethereal suspended elements creates a visually stunning narrative that captivates and engages audiences, reflecting the depth and complexity of human and environmental interactions. | Adam Šakovy / Tomas Umrian Contemporary

You can also stay connected with Anna Bochkova and her latest projects by following her on Instagram, where she shares insights into her creative process and highlights from her exhibitions.

Art Gallery | Tomas Umrian Contemporary | Bratislava
Tomas Umrian Contemporary by gallerist and founder Tomas Umrian
umrian gallery

Tomas Umrian Contemporary

Reaching the Earth - Anna Bochkova 18.6 - 27.7.2024
Tomas Umrian-International Contemporary Art Gallery

Anna Bochkova on Instagram
Tomas Umrian Contemporary on Instagram

Image Credits by | Adam Šakovy / Tomas Umrian Contemporary

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