C Z E C H T H I S !0 8

DEAR ART LOVERS,It is with great joy and pleasure that I welcome you to theMagical World of Czech Illustrators for Children. Thisexhibition – which brings to Singapore for the first time theworks of the finest Czech artists in the field – is intended notonly to share with you the artistic value of their illustrations,but to also evoke the magical memories and feelings we allfelt as kids from the fairy tales and stories we read or weretold to us. It is meant to bring joy to all adults, children,professionals and art lovers alike.

I am also delighted that the Embassy of the Czech Republic isin partnership with the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts on thisproject. The educational mission of NAFA brings added valueto our joint endeavour. We are also proud to present theexhibition as the first international project in NAFA’s newlyopened headquarters.

The Embassy of the Czech Republicin Singapore

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THE MAGICAL WORLD OF CZECH ILLUSTRATORSFOR CHILDREN“The illustrations in books for children play a very special andimportant role in nurturing the imagination and exploratoryprocess of young readers.”

he Embassy of the Czech Republic and the NanyangAcademy of Fine Arts are proud to present in Singaporean exhibition of the best 20th Century Czech illustrators

for children. The exhibition, named “The Magical World of CzechIllustrators for Children”, will be held from July 16th – 31st 2004in NAFA’s new headquarters at 80 Bencoolen Street.

A total of 89 illustrations by 18 artists covering all genres ofliterature for children will be featured, ranging from Czechliterature to numerous fairy tales and stories from Europe, China,India and the Arab world, which are a part of the world literatureheritage for children. Together with the illustrations, there are alsocuddly soft toys created from the characters in the illustrations.The original books will also be displayed and animated films onDVD will be available for viewing.

The illustrations in books for children play a very special andimportant role in nurturing the imagination and exploratoryprocess of young readers. They contribute to who we are asindividuals, and to our moral values and creative capability. Allthis is possible thanks to a group of visionary adults, who havethe ability to understand the minds of children, and the desireand artistic talents to enrich the lives of kids everywhere.

I am proud that we can present in Singapore the beautifulworks from the best artists, all outstanding Czech illustratorswhose impact exceeds the borders of our country by a widemargin. Enjoy the exhibition!

RUDOLF HYKLChargé d´Affaires of the Czech Republic

THE MONKEY KING by Zdenka Krejcova (Albatros, 1997) RUMCAJS, MANKA AND CIPISEK by Vaclav Ctvrtek (Albatros, 2002)

July 16 – 31, 20049am to 6pm

Galleries 1 & 2, Street LevelNanyang Academy of Fine Arts Headquarters

80 Bencoolen Street

For inquires please call NAFA tel.: 6512 4000or visit www.mfa.cz/singapore or www.nafa.edu.sg

C Z E C H T H I S ! 0 9

The Czech Republic is a small country located “in the heart ofEurope”, but for many years the popularity of Czech children’sbooks has reached far beyond its borders. When exploring theroots of fine literature for children and young people in theterritory of the Czech Republic, we have to begin in the secondhalf of the 17th Century. As early as 1658, the Czech scholar,renowned European humanitarian, and one of the founders ofpedagogy, Jan Amos Komensky (or Comenius), published a bookcalled Orbis Pictus (The World in Pictures). He successfully outlined,among other things, the importance of pictures in children’sbooks. However, it was not until several centuries later that hisoriginal ideas were realised to their full potential.

The 19th Century was a period marked by the development ofCzech national literature and children’s books were no exception.Many illustrations, however, lacked the works´ literary qualities.Most were merely products of craftsmanship and often copiedforeign models. It was not until the end of the 19th century that a

The art of story illustration has endured and endeared, fromstone carvings to the vivid imprints on paper that bringmodern day stories alive. Just as the gestures, facialexpressions and vocal tones of the storyteller create theexperience for the listener, an artist’s impressions fill theexperience for the reader. Illustrations more than complementa story – they bring different interpretations of the story asthe illustrator adds his dramatic impressions and artistic flairto a tale.

Illustrations play a special role in children’s literature. Theystretch the imagination of young readers and lend excitementto a tale. Illustrations also help to explain the vocabulary. Theyconvey meanings and feelings where words fail.

I am glad that, in partnership with the Embassy of the CzechRepublic and the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, the travelling

true artist appeared – Mikolas Ales – whose influence on futurechildren’s books illustrations was to prove decisive. His pen-and-ink drawings, which accompanied folk songs, children’s rhymesand fairy tales, were rooted in the art of folklore but at the sametime show all the dynamics and creative brilliance of thisexcellent painter. His typically “Bohemian” approach to art,together with an emphasis on the work’s ethical and aestheticqualities, is characterised in the works of future generations ofillustrators throughout the 20th century.

Visitors to “The Magic of Czech Illustrators for Children” exhibitionare thus offered an opportunity to witness the complete range ofdifferent approaches to the colourfulworld of children’s literature illustrated inthe European style, the diversity of whichis based both on varying artistic formsand different generational perspectives.It marks a major contribution of Czechartists from all generations to the lives ofmillions of children all around the world.In other words, a contribution to a happychildhood – arguably the most magicalstage of human life.

JIRI FIXLAcademic Painter

OVERVIEW OF CZECH CHILDREN’S ILLUSTRATIONS

MESSAGE BY MINISTER THARMAN SHANMUGARATNAMexhibition “Magical World of Czech Illustrators for Children”has chosen Singapore as its stage, as part of its tour ofselected Asian cities. The Czech Republic has had more than ahundred illustrious years of tradition and development of thespecialised art of illustrating children’s books. The exhibitionshowcases some of its amazing achievements.

For visual arts enthusiasts, young and old, the exhibition willopen their eyes to the different visual styles, imagination andremarkable technical skills of Czech illustrators. Culturalexchanges such as this Czech exhibition of illustrations willextend and refine the knowledge of art enthusiasts. I am surethat visitors will be enraptured by the exhibition’s beautifulillustrations.

THARMAN SHANMUGARATNAMActing Minister for Education of Singapore

PUNCH IN HELLby Karel Franta(Albatros, 1995)

MISTER PIP´S WALK by Stanislav Holy (Albatros, 1978)

PUSS IN BOOTS by Adolf Born (Albatros, 1999)

BOB AND BOBEK, RABBITSFROM THE HAT, by Vladimir

Jiranek (Albatros, 1993)