Dagmar Kovar

 

I was born and raised in Bohemia, the very heart of Europe. There, in Prague, I studied chemistry for my original profession. Only later on, when I moved to Canada, I changed my focus and started a practice in art.

I work with fibers – mostly wool and silk. They are an endless source of my inspiration and often an initial reason for my works. They make an integral part of my pieces. Their nature itself - strength, vulnerability, and perishability, together with their historical connection to humanity, represent the voice of my work.

My inspiration comes from observation of everyday life, poetry, research, workshops and courses I took, countless experiments and mistakes I make, and, of course, my love for fibers and the human soul.

I started to exhibit in 2001. Since then I participated in a number of shows, including - Common Thread 2003, 2005, and 2007 (international textile art biennale, Oakville, Ontario), and Threadworks 2004 (international ONN exhibition). The entry in Common Thread 2007 was awarded “Best of Contemporary Work”. Most recently, my installation work “Silence”, was shown as a part of a two person exhibition “Falling to Pieces” (2008), in the McIntosh Gallery, London, Ontario.

I now live and maintain a studio in London, Ontario.