Pavel Maria Smejkal was born in 1957 in Ostrava, Czech Republic. He continued in his studies at the Veterinary University in Kosice,
from which he graduated in 1983. Since 1989 he is free-lancer (high-rise building maintenance, photography, web design, publishing).
He was an active mountain climber for many years, and later he also traveled extensively. He published several wall calendars.
Pavel Maria Smejkal gradually turned from an interest in nature and a biological understanding of life
to an interest in artistic expression. He participated in multiple workshops, for example with Milota Havrankova,
Paul Winternitz, Heinz Cibulka, Kari Holopainen, Jan Pohribny, Josef Wais and others.
Currently he has got BcA in photography and is going on with his study at the
Institute of Creative Photography at Silesian University in Opava, Czech Republic.
Pavel Maria Smejkal is also co-author of architectonical design of Citizens' Monument to Europen Unity,
Solo exhibitions :
1998, Klub M, Kosice, SK – One Second of Life
1999, Fotogaleria NOVA, Kosice, SK – FROZEN
2001, Eastern Slovakia Museum, Kosice, SK – IMAGINE
2001, M.E.C.C.A., Terezin, Czech rep. – IMAGINE
2004, Tatranska galeria Factory, Poprad, SK, OPEN YOUR EYES
2004, Muzeum Dolna brana, Kosice, SK, IMAGINE
2004, Galeria Panoptikum, Kosice, SK, OPEN YOUR EYES
2005, Galeria Fiducia, Ostrava, CZ, THE FAMILY OF MAN
2005, Muzeum Dolna brana, Kosice, Nachadzate sa tu
2005, Galeria Vihorlat. osvet. strediska, Humenne, OPEN YOUR EYES
2006, Month of Photography, Bratislava, SK, STARS
2007, Cabinet of Photography, House of Art, Opava, CZ, STARS
2007, Muzeum Vojtecha Lofflera, Kosice, SK, Forget Your Fear
2008, Street gallery, Kosice, SK, Immaculata
Collective exhibitions
2000, M.E.C.C.A., Terezín, CZ
2003, House of Art, ITF, Opava, CZ
2004, Euroraport PhotoProject, Poland in WARSAW and Lodz
2004, Bratislava, ITF exhibition, SK
2006, Fotofestiwal, Manufaktura, STARS, Lodz, PL
2006, Prague House of Photography, SIX, Prague, CZ
2006, Galeria Szara, Freedom, Egality...Art!, Pol. Czieszyn, PL
2006, Galeria Szara, Freedom, Egality...Art!, Pol. Czieszyn, PL
2007, Katowice, Freedom, Egality...Art!, PL
2007, Brotfabrik Galerie, Czech Start 1, Berlin, DE
2008, Pingao Festival, Open Your Eyes, Pingao, China
2008, DOMUS Gallery, Lyon Septembre de la Photographie, STARS, Lyon, FR
2008, VAM Design Center, New Slovak Photography, STARS, Budapest, HU
Curators project: 2007, 2008 Second Cities - www.2ndcities.net
Artist’s Statement
In my creative work I pose questions and seek answers. I am interested in fundamental questions concerning life and death,
the development of human society, individual identity, relationships in the triangle of science, art, and religion,
and the relativity of time. Apart from classical photography I also use digital and combined techniques.
I sometimes use old published photographs, images from the internet, or old prints.
I use photography not only to express my thoughts, but also as a tool for exploring myself and the world.