Soulmates III

Petra McGrath is a painter and designer who divides her time between Prague and Sydney. She began her practice relatively recently as a self-taught artist, following many years of experience in business, interior design, and real estate. A major impetus for this change was her move to Australia, where she was deeply influenced by the local climate, coastal landscape, light, and intense colors. It was these impressions that became one of the main sources of inspiration for her canvases. McGrath works primarily with large-format paintings that straddle the line between abstraction and representational art. Upon closer inspection of her compositions, one can often discern silhouettes, figures, or specific motifs associated with Australian nature or with Prague. Her work grows out of joy, optimism, energy, and the intuitive application of bright swaths of color. This approach echoes the so-called joyful painting of Henri Matisse, although McGrath also draws inspiration from the work of Australian artist Brett Whiteley and Czech painter Pavel Roučka. The latter’s influence is particularly evident in the painting Soulmates III, an abstract work built on the symbolism of shapes and colors. The artist interprets the motif of kindred spirits as a path to harmony, achieved through mutual support, learning, and overcoming challenges, which leads to spiritual growth. The light in the painting reflects the strengths of the personality, while the shadows, on the other hand, evoke wounds that have not yet healed. Their integration into a balanced whole becomes a visual symbol of true connection.

70 % of the hammer price is allocated to support the non-profit foundation Spolu s odvahou, a member of the Bátor Tábor family.