academic sculptor Ľudmila Cvengrošová

Academic sculptor Ľudmila Cvengrošová (* 17 June 1937), a native of Radošina near Topoľčany and a graduate of the the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava, inclines towards low-key sculpture and medal design, for which she draws inspiration from history.

For over sixty years, she has been creating with great passion and with the hope of using her works to convey history to the general public. “In my sculptures, reliefs, medals and drawings, I have struggled for years to portray figures and events worthy of recording, as well as simple unknown people who created culture through their hard work and skills.”

Ľudmila Cvengrošová is not only a leading Slovak artist, but also a passionate traveller who has visited memorable places all over the world. Her work reflects her experiences from numerous study stays. Bulgaria, Denmark, Egypt, France, Guinea, India, Italy, Israel, Cuba, Cyprus, Hungary, Malta, Mexico, Mongolia, Germany, Peru, Poland, Romania, Greece, the countries of the former Soviet Union, Sweden, Thailand, Tunisia – these are some of the countries she has travelled to from her native Slovakia.

“Travel, but look not only at volcanoes, lakes and waterfalls. I'm more interested in people and their creations – the things that only the human hand can do – than in natural beauty. I have always appreciated human work,” says the academic sculptor.

Archaeological findings, which eloquently convey the message of the ancient times, serve as her source of knowledge. The personal presence of the mature artist during archaeological excavations, supported by her close contact with archaeologists, gives her work a stamp of authenticity. She finds further inspiration in museum showcases and on the pages of books. Historical fidelity means everything to her.

Ľudmila Cvengrošová enjoys depicting the geographic and cultural peculiarities of our planet – often unexplainable and unfathomable stories that allow for diverse interpretations. Her love for art, travel, and all human cultures – regardless of race or religion – has then materialized in the form of silver coins of the Czech Mint. In their reliefs appear the most beautiful treasures of ancient civilisations.

The Slovak artist's talent and world renown is evidenced, among other things, by the fact that the commemorative medal she created for John Paul II was chosen by the Pope himself for his personal archive. While wandering around Bratislava, you will come across her monumental works – she decorated Devín with a sculpture of Cyril and Methodius or a statue of Prince Rostislav, and in front of the building of the National Bank of Slovakia, her three-metre Celtic coin Biatec catches the eye.

The humanistic spirit of her work makes us stop and ask ourselves – who are we, where do we come from and where are we going?