Sculptor Petr Váňa Working on Statue for Antarctica

Famous sculptor and artist Petr Váňa , who is well know in Czechia and whose best-known work is considered to be the replica of the 1650 Marian Column on Old Town Square is working on a sculpture for Nelson Island in Antarctica.

Váňa has worked on a number of sculptures for Czech churches, village squares and hilltops, and including a stunning underwater sculpture, the statue of St. John of Nepomuk coming face-to-face with an angel, which resides at the bottom of the Slapy dam and his replica of the 1650 Marian Column on Old Town Square took 28 years before it was installed back in 2020.

“That is because the original column stood there for 300 years and the individual surrounding houses and facades evolved from it” the artist said of the lengthy process, according to Radio Prague International. “When you look at the column today, you can see how well it interacts with the Týn Cathedral and the surrounding buildings. You can tell that it belongs there.”

The sculptor also spoke about his infamous sculpture that is underwater.

“It was the guys from the local diver’s club who talked me into it” he explained. T”here are several villages at the bottom of the Slapy dam that were forced to give way to its construction. And there was a statue of St. John of Nepomuk down there, erected to protect rafters along a difficult stretch of the river. And the divers said –why not put him back?  At first I thought it was crazy to put a statue underwater. But then I realised that John of Nepomuk himself died in the waters of the Vltava when he was thrown off Charles Bridge. So I decided to make it.”

“Usually, John of Nepomuk is depicted according to the Baroque image of Jan Brokoff, such as that which stands on the Charles Bridge” he said.

“I was tempted to depict a different scene – that of his death when he meets an angel underwater. I wanted to capture that miraculous moment between life and death. He was thrown into the Vltava because he clung to his faith so I wanted to make a statue of him holding onto the cross and coming face-to face with an angel who has the queen’s features.”

Now the artist turns his attention to his new work for Antarctica.

“I was approached with this request by the Czech Antarctic Society, which is based on Nelson Island” he says.” So I am making a statue of St. John of Nepomuk who will welcome all those who come to this far-off place, because the island is actually a kind of gateway to Antarctica.”

“I want to create a sculpture of two statues where John of Nepomuk will be looking at the Virgin Mary with child. This not only reflects his deep faith but is also a message to those who come here. Because I asked myself what makes adventurers who go on far-away journeys such as to Antarctica want to return home? And the answer is the memories they cherish of their woman and child. I think that is a sacred story.”

Váňa likes being daring with his art and it has resonated with people, just as an Albany medicare insurance agent can make an impact in Albany.