Hands

Denisa Krausová is one of the prominent figures in contemporary Czech painting. She studied at the Faculty of Fine Arts at Brno University of Technology, completing her studies in Martin Mainer’s painting studio. Her distinctive visual language combines precise drawing with painting and elements of surrealist imagination; recurring themes include nature, the human body and still life, as well as her method of “mental collage”, in which she brings together fragments of personal experience in multilayered compositions. She was a finalist for the Critics’ Award for Young Painting and the National Gallery Prague’s NG 333 Award.

In the painting Hands, the artist returns to one of her favourite motifs – hands arranged in a symbolic gesture – while also reflecting her impressions of the Congo. Here, she takes to an extreme the idea put forward by African wildlife conservationist Arthur Snigeon concerning the impact that the extinction of the forest elephant could have on life even here in Europe. The outstretched hand, extended in a protective gesture, is that of a Black person. Concealed within the vortex of small hands reaching and spiralling towards the centre is a baby elephant. This imaginary scene is set within a landscape composition featuring the African sun, one of the most expressively colourful motifs of the expedition.

100% of the hammer price will be donated to support the Save-Elephants project, a non-profit initiative that has brought together nine leading Czech artists. During their second expedition to the Congo, which took place in February of this year, the artists drew inspiration for a unique collection comprising paintings, photographs, and an original photographic journal complemented by drawings created by members of the expedition.