Josef Bolf

There are many reasons for collecting contemporary art. It could stem from a personal interest in artworks and the desire to live closely surrounded by them, the pursuit of enhanced social prestige, or an investment objective. Collecting, however, also becomes a lifestyle and passion, bringing with it a host of specific characteristics. The origins of the private Humpolec collection of Czech art from the 20th and 21st centuries date back to the mid-1990s. Behind its creation are the Rýzner family, founders of the 8smička art zone, to which the collection has been long-term entrusted. The collection primarily focuses on painting, sculpture, and works on paper, with a consistently expanding line of contemporary Czech artistic production. The first in a series of three upcoming autumn exhibitions showcases case studies. Through recent acquisitions of works by two contemporary male artists, Josef Bolf and Tadeáš Kotrba, and one female artist, Eliška Konečná, it unveils aspects of acquisition activities. Instead of providing a comprehensive list of names or an unsystematic tour of the depository, the audience has the opportunity to explore three scenarios no art collector can avoid if they want to stay informed in the world of art trade. These include detective-like searches on the secondary market, monitoring international art fairs, and studio visits. The prologue paves the way for the upcoming jubilee exhibition Factory for Beauty, which will summarize thirty years of art collecting and is set to be presented at 8smička in the fall of 2026.

Josef Bolf, Eliška Konečná, Tadeáš Kotrba