Prague artist Ivana Lomova’s diverse background began at the Eugene Field School in Chicago in the late 1960’s, and the Technical University of Prague in the late 70’s and early 80’s. After working for many years as an illustrator and author of comic strips for children, she began to work on her own creative art starting in the 1990’s. She started with a focus on a unique reflection of the world which surrounds her with a sense of irony and patience and an always-present consciousness of the absurdity of human existence. Later she began to work with photography, and this is what led her to a certain artistic asceticism, a sort of self-denial. The sense of absurdity of the world seemed to be replaced by humility towards it. Instead of her own subjective thoughts and feelings there is a factual observation, an "objective eye."

Recently a finalist for the Celeste prize in 2010 for contemporary painting she continues her study of the following issues: ordinary everyday life and the dramas and meanings hidden behind; memories, childhood, family albums, aging; solitude and the complexity of relationship between men and women; attitudes and expectations arising from gender roles and the difficulties of understanding each other.

"I had a wonderful time at the Borgo.
Initially I had wanted to go in May, but I must admit that the April term I had was even better. I came to Tuscany when most of the leaves were still small, so I could watch them grow and appreciate the fresh green and blossoming all around (all those fragrances!). Trees were changing every few days.

"The landscape around the Borgo is beautiful everywhere, but my  particular favorite was the road from Buonconvento to Asciano - the Crete Senese.
I found all those special trees I knew from Renaissance paintings in real life (I have always thought the artists had made them up a little)!
Even those special rocks that we know from the old masters - the ones that look like pieces of cheese cut from all sides - can be found nearby.

"Afternoons spent painting by the pool overlooking the lovely landscape were some of my best moments.There was no one but the birds, flying above the water to have a drink. Once I saw a rabbit; even a deer came.

"The residency was definitely a good experience for me. I still have some ideas about the Tuscan landscape -- how its represented in those old masters paintings and how it looks now. My hope is that it will bring me to something new."

- IVANA