František Burant

František Burant is one of the personalities who connected his life with UMPRUM. He was not only a graduate of the school but also a long-time educator there. For the intimate exhibition of his graphic works, curator Marie Bergmanová selected a collection of drypoint prints from the 1960s to the 1990s with the motif of a female figure, intertwined with dance movement, theater, dreams, and memories. The author developed the theme of women or the human figure in various variations, often returning to it in combinations with his other favorite themes, primarily those that drew from both living and inanimate nature.

“The selection of drypoint prints from the private graphic archive of František Burant's works offers a concise view of the transformation of the female figure in the understanding of matter, space, contrast of light and shadow, in relation to reality and imagination over several decades of the author’s creativity. Figurative studies are also represented, to which the author returned not only in graphics and drawing but also, for example, in small sculptures as in the case of the print 'On the Edge,'” says curator Marie Bergmanová.   

František Burant (1924–2001) became an assistant in the studio of Josef Kaplický towards the end of his studies at UMPRUM. From 1960, he served as a professional assistant in glass art under Stanislav Libenský; in 1969, he became an associate professor and was entrusted with leading the department of figurative and general drawing, teaching figurative drawing for plastic disciplines as a professor from 1982 to 1990. Burant respected the individuality of students in his teaching and, following the example of his teacher Josef Kaplický, sought to develop their path rather than his own.  

Throughout his life, he dedicated himself primarily to graphics, drawing, but also glass realizations in public space, illustration, and small sculpture. For figurative graphic work, he drew inspiration from the expressive means of graphic artist František Tichý. He was drawn to his simplification of specific forms into expressive symbols, as well as the capture of fragile existence and unresolved mysteries. The woman, as a symbol of joy, melancholy, sadness, beauty, and sensual enchantment, became a focal point of Burant's artistic interest by the late 1950s, and similarly to the inspiration from the landscape, it was always more of a visual conception for him than just a record of the observed subject.

After graduating from school, Burant became a member of the Union of Fine Artists, specifically its II. center, the former Artistic Discussion Group. He exhibited from 1953 at member exhibitions of SČUG Hollar and joint exhibitions of the creative group UB 12, and from 1962 he also exhibited independently. His work is represented, for example, in the National Gallery in Prague, the Central Bohemian Gallery, the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague, as well as in domestic and foreign private collections.  

The exhibition, which is held on the occasion of the 140th anniversary of the establishment of UMPRUM, recalls both thematically defined parts of František Burant's graphic work and his pedagogical significance. A parallel exhibition features a selection of works by another prominent graduate of the school, sculptor and ceramist Ivo Chovanec. Both exhibitions can be visited until November 2.  

Curator of the exhibition: Marie Bergmanová
Architecture: Lujza Lehocká
Graphics: Žofia Kosová
Production: Šárka Váňová