Silvia Belis

Silvia BelisArtist, stagedesigner and curatorSince 2014, the author has dedicated herself almost exclusively to her own woodworking, drawing and running the Ve Věži gallery in Melnik (gallery in the tower). Her wooden objects are made by wood carving using the techniques of marquetry (creating images by fitting and gluing together veneers of various colours and structures) and incrustation (inserting wooden or stone components into wood). These traditional techniques are conceived in an original manner, not merely as a decorative or ornamental element of artwork. The artist puts her ideas and thoughts into the images in the form of dream landscapes, natural beings or abstract visions. These images, arising from the recesses of the subconscious, have surrounded her since birth, creating a fantastic inner world that is always subtly impinging on everyday reality.Wood is a natural medium for the visualisation of these inner images. Natural material inspires the author by its structure and radiates energy that encourages imagination and often reveals a path to crafting.The author also occasionally cooperates as a stage designer with the directors Karel Král (V Dlouhé Theatre, Dejvické Theatre, Na zábradlí Theatre) and Linda Dušková, as well as with the Svět a divadlo magazine as an illustrator.EDUCATION1998–2004Secondary Graphic Art School and College of Graphic Art in Prague – study field Graphic Design and Book Illustration2006–2007Institute of Art and Design in Pilsen – study field Book Illustration2007–2009Academy of Performing Arts in Prague, Bachelor’s degree study at the Department of Alternative and Puppet Theatre, study field Stage Design, head of studio MgA. Pavel Kalfus2010–2011Academy of Performing Arts in Prague, Master’s degree study and graduation at the Department of Alternative and Puppet Theatre, study field Stage Design, head of studio MgA. Tomáš Žižka2010 Erasmus scholarschip in Czech Centre in New York on the theme of Czech emigration to America (Site specific installation)EXHIBITIONS, ART REALISATIONS and COOPERATIONS2010Realization of the site specific project Move house at the Czech Centre in New York on the theme of Czech emigration to America2011Mánes Gallery in Prague: Orbis pictus - Play interactive installation "Environmental Perspectives" at the exhibition (in cooperation with Petr Nikl & co.)Orbis Pictus – Play accompanying programme of „Manhattan Fishing“, Mánes Gallery Prague2011, 2012, 2013Histeria Festival – preparation of the visual part of the site specific festival aimed at music and all forms of outdoor theatre in Slovenia 2012Austria: OÖ Kulturquartier Linz interactive installation at the exhibition Labyrinth of Senses2016Ve Věži Gallery in Mělník: Images from under the Bark (solo exhibition)2016 - todayNational Museum of Agriculture in Prague: recykLES installation at the interactive exhibition in cooperation with Tomáš Žižka and Václav Kynský on the theme of the forest and stories of trees2018Gallery in Emauzy monastery in Prague: WoodScopes (solo exhibition)