Pravoslav Rada: Art Ceramics

Pravoslav Rada — a classic of Czech ceramic art — has devoted a lifetime particularly to studio figurative work, ranging from animal sculptures (fish, cats and birds), mythical creatures (elfs, angels and archangels) to human figures. Rada’s extensive and varied oeuvre is endowed with wit, humorous exaggeration and subtle irony, as well as a certain detachment and pensive wisdom. The artist employs a broad range of ceramic materials, including porcelain and a variety of surface finishes. He makes bold use of bright, contrasting glazes, applies decals and transfers photo images (for example, of the Suchý and Šlitr tandem of artists). Rada has produced numerous inventive sculptural installations that have enriched public spaces, such as shopping centres, schools and housing estates. Just like his smaller pieces, these sculptures are highly expressive, instantly identifiable and, above all, truly original.

The exhibition presented at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague is intended for visitors of all ages: the oldest generation will be reminded of the times when Czech ceramic art was at its pinnacle, the middle and young generations will appreciate that contemporary art can also carry a message and be graspable, while the youngest visitors will enjoy the playfulness and energy with which Rada imbues his ceramic objects.

The exhibition is accompanied by an interactive programme for visitors to the museum.

exhibition concept
Dita Hálová

special consultancy
Milan Hlaveš

exhibition design
H3T-architekti (Štěpán Řehoř, Vít Šimek)

graphic design
Tereza Hejmová, Jan Matoušek

Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague
Exhibition Hall
17. listopadu 2
110 00 Prague 1

Opening hours
Tue 10 a.m.—7 p.m., Wed — Sun 10 a.m.—6 p.m., Mon closed

Head with Red Lips
Pravoslav Rada
permanent display) 2013) 2012) 2011) 2010) 2009) 2008) 2007) 2006) 2005) 2004)
Prague Fashion...) The Exhibition 2011) Ota Hájek:...) TREASURE HUNT …in...) Sheila Hicks: One...) Controversies: A...) Echoes of the...) Ladislav Sutnar:...) The Touches of...) Josef Sudek: Objects) In Search of Glass) Undeniably me) Glamour. Women’s...) Czech Toy) Adriena Šimotová:...) Artěl 1908-1935 /...) Winners of Czech...) P. Rada! Paráda!) Adolf Vrhel:...) Oldřich Straka:...) Decadence now!...)