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Jakub Trajter

 

Date of Birth: March 11, 1983
Place of Birth: Bratislava, Slovakia

 

Education

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  • Josef Vydra School of Applied Arts, Bratislava
    Specialization: Stone Sculpture
    Mentor: Academic Sculptor Vojtech Pohanke
    1998 - 2002

  • Academy of Fine Arts and Design, Bratislava
    Department of Sculpture
    Focus: Sculpture, Object, and Installation
    Mentor: Prof. Juraj Meliš
    2002 - 2008

 

Residencies

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  • Cité d'art, Paris
    Creative Residency
    2007

 

Professional Experience

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  • Freelance Sculptor
    Establishment of Trajter Sculpture Studio
    Engagements: Interior Design, Collaborations with Architectural Studios (A1 - B. Kaliský, GutGut - Š. Polakovič)
    Post-2008

  • Contributions to Exhibitions and Collections
    Active participation in group and solo exhibitions across Europe, North America, and Asia
    Works featured in public spaces and private collections nationally and internationally
     

  • Post-2008

  • World Expo Milan
    Collaborative and Solo Projects
    2015

 

Competitions and Awards

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  • Martin Benka Award for Young Visual Artist
    2015

  • Memorial to the Revolution of 1989
    1st Place
    2018

  • National Bank of Slovakia - Imrich Karvaš Sculpture
    2nd Place
    2018

  • Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
    3rd Place
    2018

Recent Work  and Collaborations

  • Collaboration on Slovak Pavilion at Expo Milan
    With T. Berka
    2015

  • Competitions with Architectural Collective
    B. Lackovič, E. Zatlukaj
    2018

 

Artistic Approach

 

Jakub Trajter employs unconventional materials and techniques to explore new understandings of space and three-dimensional forms. His early works focused on precise realizations in marble, granite, bronze, and wood, emphasizing the surface and aura of forms. Later, he transitioned to using metal waste, meticulously reworking materials to give them new shapes. Trajter's expressive-dramatic sculptures range from stark constructivist assemblies to dynamic baroque-like compositions, utilizing color and natural metal textures to accentuate fire marks and the passage of time. His repertoire includes ships, cosmic shapes, futuristic city visions, trees, fantastical beasts, birds, monsters, and figures conveying timeless meanings. His latest work revisits the bronze solitaire, creating a concept of "futuristic sculpture" that captures fleeting moments through multiple perspectives, evoking a sense of movement.

 

Selected Works

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  • Transformations
    Trajter's powerful bronze sculptures aptly titled "Transformations" serve as a poignant representation of the human spirit's unwavering yearning for freedom, exploration, and transcending the limitations of nature's laws. His human figures gracefully transition between abstraction and realism, evoking a sense of fluidity and constant motion that mirrors the ever-changing nature of existence. With meticulous attention to detail, Trajter delves into the complexities of the human experience, exploring the intricate interplay between the physical and metaphysical, body and soul.

  • Juxtapose
    This series of bronze sculptures embodies the profound concept where chaos and order coexist within the realms of physical manifestations. Meticulously crafted by hand, Trajter’s creation process is akin to a meditative practice, guiding him into a state of Zen. This piece serves as a tangible exploration of entropy, reflecting the natural order of the universe. The sculpture stands as a testament to the human endeavor to recreate and rebuild amidst the constant presence of entropy—a fundamental element of our existence.

  • Geometric Series
    Includes works like "Juxtapose" (Bronze, 2024) and "Intervention V" (Welded Steel)
    This series represents the interplay between entropy and human creativity. The sculptures are crafted with a deep understanding of material properties and a meticulous process that involves hand modeling, welding, and precise finishing techniques.

  • Figurative Series
    Uses 3D scanning and bronze casting to capture human figures in motion
    This series illustrates the duality of body and consciousness. Trajter employs advanced technologies like 3D scanning and printing to create detailed models, which are then cast in bronze. Despite the technological aids, the final pieces require a high level of craftsmanship in the finishing stages.

  • Octopus and Aircraft Carrier Motif
    Trajter explores themes of consumption, resource depletion, and environmental impact through abstract and narrative reliefs. The motif of the octopus and aircraft carrier serves as a symbol of human ambition and the consequences of overexploitation of natural resources.

 

Philosophical and Artistic Exploration

 

Jakub Trajter's work delves into the intersection of physical and metaphysical realms, examining how abstract mathematical concepts and digital data shape our understanding of reality. His installations often juxtapose ecological concerns with economic indicators, using 3D printing technology to materialize these abstract relationships. Through his art, Trajter invites viewers to reflect on the human condition, the continuous cycle of chaos and order, and the delicate equilibrium that defines our existence.

 

 

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