We were contacted by Jiri Benovsky, not only an artist, but also a philosopher, author, and podcast speaker! We asked him a few questions to know more about him as his upcoming exhibition and sale is coming up between 27 October and 1 November 2026 in Petit-Lancy. Jiri will present a series of original wall-mounted works made of natural wood, straddling the line between painting and sculpture. Each piece is created from a single piece of wood that has been split lengthwise and then unfolded in a mirror-like pattern. The grain, knots, and natural variations in the material thus form symmetrical shapes in which silhouettes, faces, landscapes, or more indeterminate figures may emerge. Nothing is artificially colored.
This work lies halfway between art and craftsmanship, between human intervention and the forms already present in the material.
Why did you start? What has been the inspiration?
It really began with guitar making. I learned to build acoustic guitars, and that taught me to look at wood in a completely different way. The woods I use for these pieces are normally used in lutherie. When a board is opened like a book, the inside can reveal extraordinary symmetrical patterns. I became fascinated by the idea that the image was already there, hidden inside the tree, and that my role was mainly to find it and reveal it.
Have you been working on this idea forever, or was it something that came to you recently?
This particular work started about three years ago. Before that I worked mainly with photography and drawing, which you can also see on my website, www.benovsky.com. So it is relatively new, but it grew quite naturally from things I was already interested in, especially images, perception and the way we recognise forms.
What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?
Definitely finding the right and rare pieces of wood ! I can spend a lot of time searching for a piece of wood with the right grain, colours and accidents of growth. Over the years I have made contacts in many parts of the world, so there is a real treasure hunt behind each piece. Sometimes the hardest part is simply finding the wood that makes me stop and think, there is something in there.
What are your plans for the future?
This year I started developing the work into sculpture as well. I am still using many woods that come from the world of guitar making, but now I am exploring volume, balance and the human figure rather than working with flat surfaces. Some of the first sculptures are here:
https://www.benovsky.com/sculpture.html I would like these two directions to continue and influence each other.
What is your favorite piece and why?
I have several favourites, so choosing just one is difficult. The pieces I am most drawn to are often those where a face, a body or some strange creature seems to appear. I love that moment when you suddenly recognise something, especially because another person may look at exactly the same piece and see something completely different.
Anything else you think our readers would like to know?
One thing that often surprises people is that all the colours in the works are completely natural. I do not stain or colour the wood. I also think the exhibition can be fun for children, because the works invite you to look for faces, animals, landscapes or strange creatures. Adults do exactly the same thing, of course! One of my favourite parts is hearing people compare what they see, because almost everyone finds something different.
https://www.benovsky.com/expo.html
FIGURES DE SÈVE ET DE SILENCE
27 October through 1 November 2026
The opening reception (vernissage) will take place on Tuesday, 27 October 2026 from 17h-20h.
Galerie HORTUS
14 avenue du Plateau
1213 Petit-Lancy
