Šikula Revival
The exhibition project is based on the author's adoption of techniques from the children's art workshops in which Anna worked as a lecturer.
"The title, meaning 'handy child', is derived from the revival and reintroduction of classical techniques, approaches, motifs, and themes from creative centers. It is similar to how the term 'revival' is used for musical groups that perform an adopted repertoire of a well-known band, aiming to pay homage to it while adapting its image."
These are classic, well-known techniques, such as glazed ceramics but also frottage, scratch art, cut-outs, and papier-maché. Unencumbered by formal pedagogical training, the artist explores the potential of these ‘academically taboo’ techniques. Children's, naive, and outsider art are her main sources of inspiration. However, for Anna, this doesn't simply mean adopting the visual elements – she is also interested in the context of these works, the underlying thought processes, and the motivations behind their creation. The method by which she approaches this is not consciously structured; there is no objectifying distance. It appears that Anna fully immerses herself in these 'other' creative models, accepting them at face value before confronting them with the context of contemporary art.
In the Šikula revival project, the 'children's art workshop' approach is also connected to the actual exhibition presentation of the works – the form of display is what interests the artist most in these art centers:
"The repetition of motifs, themes, and a simple yet effective approach. I am interested in their attitude toward the presentation of children's creations (on colored tablecloths, nets, or stuck on windows)."
