Anna Zemánková

Anna Zemánková (1908-1988) was a Czech homemaker who started making artwork like this piece in her 50's for personal pleasure and meditation, and never pursued a career in art. Considered an Intuit or "Outsider" artist, Zemankova gained popularity in the 21st century, as interest in "spontaneous" art rose. Zemanjova is said to have created her lush, mixed-media artwork in an altered state or trance. I feel that the imagery evokes a darker psychology even with it's juicy, sweet color pallete. I find Zemankova to be in conversation with the literary queens of madhousewifery in the same era who used their artform as an outlet for repressed emotional anxiety.

I have been researching Zemankova on the internet very recently, but I first came across her work in the June 2003 issue of the Chicago Review poetry journal. I quickly tore the fold-out of Zwmbankova's work from the journal pages, and held them as a keepsake for years. Now and then, I would put the wrinkled, torn images into frames and hang them on my wall. The pieces have always resonated with me, and I've taken them out many times over the years to stare at the layers and delicious color formulas. I've always felt that this woman's work was tuned specifically to my aesthetic craving. And it's not often that this feeling rises like a greedy child with it's arms extended, fingers closing and opening. My mouth waters for these pieces, and maybe I'll never know really what they communicate to me. But I think they are a visual representation of my tactile, sensual desires. I adore them. Find out more about Anna Zemánková here