Oja (Olga Veselá), a distinctive graphic artist from Liberec who mainly dedicates herself to the production of linocuts, which she also prints herself in small series at home.

She opens the exhibition Non Ora et Non Labora on March 1st at 5:00 p.m. at the Dreiländereck district music school in Zittau.

She says; “Don’t pray or work. We all constantly strive for success, the highest value is often performance and continuous improvement. We have so many obligations and distractions that it is difficult for us to stay within ourselves and do what is truly fulfilling and important to us.

This series of nineteen linocuts explores universal and familiar themes such as love, purity, the battle of the spirit against darkness and death.

Ója studied medal making and metal engraving in Jablonec. Emphasis was placed on precision, accuracy and perfectionism in details.

She continues her story; "My work is an unkempt, wild animal. I like mistakes and imperfections. This gives me the opportunity to print something different and original every time. I love misprints, the work of the unwanted. I create something, and I want my ideas to flow into the work and then something unforeseen often arises that wasn't necessarily foreseen by me. I like symbols, archetypes, natural things, things that have a double meaning. I come out of myself, and what's in what "happened" to this picture is incredibly interesting. The next thing is how the viewer interprets it with their own eyes, that's another dimension that I like. I don't like telling people what's in the pictures, but to let them project their own ideas onto my work."

After studying at art school, Oja turned to the funeral industry and continued studying entrepreneurship with a focus on running a funeral home. Her main motivation was to find out why death is such a taboo in Czech society. Why dying is treated in such an alienating way. The surviving relatives order an inclusive package for the deceased from the funeral home. It's all pretty consistent, a bunch of things prepared, especially to not dwell too much on death and the funeral as a ritual and to get it over with as quickly as possible. She didn't stay in this business for long, partly because she quickly became a little disillusioned.

After this experience, she lived in Spain for a year, where she sold painted pebbles on the streets, learned Spanish and helped refugees communicate with authorities, and led art activities for their children at the Cruz Roja (Red Cross). Through this experience, she found social work and helping people who have been pushed to the margins of society fulfilling. After returning to the Czech Republic, she started working as a street worker in the Frýdlant region. "It was a powerful experience, I met many people in their homes and on the streets. Now I am starting to work at the city administration in Liberec, where I will help people who are unemployed for a long time, such as due to debts to get back into the job market and stabilize their situation in the long term."

A very special artist, don't you think? I told you that from the beginning. You are cordially invited to the exhibition opening. Come and get to know the special artist personally. I see you there, I'm happy!

PS: In addition to this exhibition, Oja has other plans in Zittau. From April she will be offering a two-month course in linocut at the adult education center in Salzhaus. Once a week, those interested can learn about the technique of linocut and its history in a two-hour workshop and try their hand at designing, cutting and printing linocuts. Anyone between the ages of 9 and 15 can register. Further information: zde

Did you like Oja's work? Contact her via Facebook, or Instagram - she can also sell you her prints if you are interested.