JosefHampl
Biography
Josef Hampl (1932, Prague, Czech Republic – 2019) was a Czech artist known for his experimental approach to visual art, particularly his sewn collages. His work extended across painting, sculpture, printmaking, and land art, establishing him as a key figure in postwar Czech art. Born in Prague to a family of tailors, Hampl initially trained in his father’s trade. However, the political and economic restrictions of the 1950s led him to work in industrial settings, including at the Praga factory in Vysočany. Despite having no formal art education, Hampl’s artistic path began to take shape after meeting Vladimír Boudník in 1959. Their friendship introduced him to new artistic techniques and connected him with other influential figures like Jiří Kolář and Bohumil Hrabal. This creative network later became known as the Vysočany Circle. In the early 1960s, Hampl explored structural graphic works and abstract compositions using industrial materials. Over time, he began incorporating stitching into his art, eventually developing a distinctive style of sewn collage. These works combined various elements such as handmade paper, photographs, textiles, and found objects, all carefully sewn together to form layered, textured compositions that reflected both precision and spontaneity. Hampl’s art gained recognition internationally, and his work has been exhibited widely and acquired by major institutions, including the Centre Pompidou in Paris and the National Gallery in Prague. In 2017, he received the Vladimír Boudník Award in recognition of his contributions to Czech graphic art. In addition to his studio work, Hampl also took part in land art and the global Mail Art movement, further demonstrating his commitment to pushing the boundaries of artistic practice. His legacy lives on through the originality of his methods and his lasting influence on Czech and international contemporary art.
