Confined strictly to Czech and Slovak artists in her upbringing, award winning illustrator Petra Stefankova has forged a career for herself and emerged as a formidable presence in the art industry.
With nearly two decades of experience in the art industry, as a freelance illustrator, visual artist and graphic designer, Stefankova’s work has garnered widespread acclaim, earning her a well-deserved reputation as a leading figure in the industry. She has endeavored to establish her relevance in the world of fine arts.
Embracing art as a career
Drawing inspiration from local Czech and Slovak artists including Albin Brunovsky, Viktor Kubal, Adolf Born and others, Petra expresses her excitement about exploring the world, which led her to relocate to the United Kingdom in 2006.
Through her artistic endeavors, she has ventured to the U.S., France, Germany, Portugal and Australia to expand her artistic footprint.
Petra’s artwork is deeply influenced by her global travels and the works of other artists. Her creations are a fusion of multicultural creativity and an eclectic visual language.
“I am influenced by Spanish cubism, French surrealism, American Pop Art and Australian Aboriginal art, but also by some contemporary artists in the United Kingdom such as Mr. Doodle or the Japanese greats, for example, Yayoi Kusama or Takashi Murakami,” Petra explained.
Stefankova takes great pride in her work and says she gained public recognition for her efforts when she was selected for Channel 4’s 4Talent Award in the UK in 2007.
According to Petra, this award steered her career in a new direction, leading her to concentrate on full-time artistic production.
In 2016, she made the transition to fine arts and painting, a path she values and has wholeheartedly dedicated her life to.
“However, there was an important twist to fine arts and painting in 2016, because I had to move on, experiment, reinvent myself and find new markets for my work again. I am now fully immersed in the world of fine art and I dedicate my life to it.”
Works and collaborations in the art industry
Stefankova says she transitions her creations between commercial art and fine art, and vice versa. Additionally, she produces brief animations inspired by her illustrations and narrative concepts.
As an author, she has written Moje male more (My Small Sea) and Čmáranica a Machuľa (Scribble and Blotch).
“Furthermore, I specialize in customizing and designing various products, including handbags, fashion items, and ceramics, presenting them as artistic installations and objects,” remarked Stefankova.
Recently, Stefankova had the opportunity to collaborate with a talented young author and a music composer, Hannah Lena Rebel, from Vienna. Hannah is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a member of Mensa International. Petra provided illustrations for Hannah’s children’s books “The Fly on the Honey Bread” and “Whimsical Wonders: A Toy Store’s Timeless Tales.”
This collaboration was particularly “fulfilling” because she has always aimed to establish artistic connections and contribute creatively across borders, especially in neighboring Austria.
Additionally, in January, Petra’s illustrations were featured in “Illustration: A Theoretical and Contextual Perspective” by Professor Alan Male from the UK, published by Bloomsbury and distributed globally. Stefankova expresses joy in getting her work showcased in this publication.
“It’s a great honour to have my works included in this publication and it is an overview of the years I spent working in the illustration industry,” she said.
Future projects and encouragement for other artists
Currently, Stefankova is preparing a solo show of her paintings and illustrations and a screening of her animated films for the Slovak Union of Visual Arts-Gallery Umelka in Bratislava, which will be held in October.
The artist desires to illustrate even more books for children and adults in the upcoming years and hopefully attract more publishing opportunities abroad.
Visual artists and illustrators currently contend with AI advancements and fierce competition on the global stage. Petra encourages artists to remain passionate about their work, find their distinct voice and persist through difficulties, so they can truly make a lasting impression.
Petra Stefankova’s steadfast dedication to artistic excellence and her impact on the art world establish her as a captivating figure whose narrative warrants global recognition and celebration.
Edited by: James Sutton
