Oto Bachorík surprises us again and again by the uniqueness and range of expressions of his sculpture language. The curved lines and abstracted forms of his works evoke ancient archetypes derived from prehistoric human myths and are full of mysterious magic and expectation. The stimulating contrast of the expressive and the lyrical, the real and the abstract resonates within them, while radiating immeasurable peace and making us feel as if we are returning to nature’s embrace. Nature and man determine the baselines of Bachorík’s inspiration, to which he has remained faithful for decades. His work is a mirror of his intellect and inner world, and through symbols and metaphors he interprets the image of endless space in which his sculptures – grandiose figures, heads, animals, birds, fish, architectures and mystical objects - live.
Oto Bachorík believes in classical materials, but primarily bronze, in which he has achieved unique mastery. This is why he decided to face the almost heroic challenge of conquering the ancient sculpting material – wood – in the same way. And from 2013 to 2014 he created a collection of impressive monumental wooden sculptures of pure forms and strict and firm lines.
Figures of women, men, animals and symbolic objects, frequently larger than life, resemble the motionless nobility of mysterious gods by their slim almost Gothic silhouettes. This feeling is empowered by the monochromatic black which the artist disturbed in some places with white stone details. He intentionally covered up the structure of oak which he liked to emphasize in his early works and placed up front the flowing lines and seemingly fragile but firm volumes on which light slides in impressive effects. Bachorík’s wooden solo sculptures and compositions are elegant, yet robust, lyrical yet dramatic. They are full of power and primary vitality, fine nostalgia and peaceful contemplation.
Mária Horváthová
Oto Bachorík was born on March 26, 1959 in Bratislava. From 1974 to 1978 he studied at the School of Applied Arts in Bratislava under prof. Ludwik Korkoš and from 1978 to 1984 at the Academy of Fine Arts in Bratislava in the Sculpture Department under prof. Ladislav Snopek and in the Department of Restoration under associate professor Jozef Porubovič. From 1985 to 1988 and then from 1992 to 1995 he taught at the School of Applied Arts in Bratislava and at the Secondary Vocational School of Forestry in Banská Štiavnica, where he founded a specialization in woodcarving. He lives in Bratislava-Devín and creates chamber and monumental sculptures, as well as drawings and paintings. He has participated in extremely successful exhibitions and his works can be found in many galleries and private collections in Slovakia and abroad. He is the co-founder of several sculpture symposiums.
