The daughter of sculptor Olbram Zoubek will guide visitors through the exhibition of her father's works and letters

Litomyšl – An unconventional exhibition is being created in Litomyšl in the Svitavy region to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of the sculptor Olbram Zoubek. The exhibition is being prepared by the artist's daughter, Eva Zoubková, in his apartment on Smetanovo náměstí, and she will personally guide visitors through the apartment. The exhibition titled My Dad O. will present works of a more intimate character predominantly inspired by family, photographs from the family archive, or excerpts and quotes from letters written by her father to her mother, Zoubková told journalists today. The opening will be on April 21.

"My parents' marriage remained somewhat of a weekend and holiday affair, as they spent time together mainly during vacations and on weekends. Because of this, we have preserved a unique correspondence, as my father had a peculiar habit of loving to write letters. He wrote almost every weekday, and it's not just one page, but several pages," Zoubková stated.

There are over 4,000 letters, which Zoubek wrote over 37 years. They have a diary-like character and especially describe work in the studio and on sculptures. Selected excerpts will concern his feelings, family, politics, civic attitudes, interrogations by the StB, or the seizure of the death mask of Jan Palach that he created.

Zoubek came to Litomyšl in the 1970s as an artist inconvenient to the regime to restore the castle's sgraffito. In the city, after the death of his first wife, Eva Kmentová, he married Marie Edlmanová. The apartment at Smetanovo náměstí 137 is partly in its original condition, including the furnishings and some paintings.

Along with the opening of the exhibition, a commemorative plaque will be unveiled, authored by sculptor Jakub Grec. It will bear part of Zoubek's quote "the sky above the clouds is always blue." It is necessary to book in advance for tours at www.olbramzoubek.cz. They will not be held daily, but several times a week depending on Zoubková's availability. The exhibition will run until August 12.