Each Statue Has its Own Story and Soul
Each Statue Has its Own Story and Soul: The Cultural and Educational Exhibition of Woodcarver Vanču
26 ǀ POSITIV 1/2025
BUSINESS ROZHOVOR
Each Statue Has its Own Story
and Soul - The Cultural and Educaonal
Exhibion of Woodcarver Vančura
The arsc exhibion of woodcarver Luděk Vančura will open this summer in the former sawmill in
Ostravice. The outdoor poron of the exhibion is already open to the public and once the statues
are arranged inside the halls, the number of exhibits will total 60. An educaonal center
to familiarise children with the history of the sawmill, woodworking in general and the surrounding
mountains is going to be created here as well. We spoke to Luděk Vančura about his work
and the signicance wood has as a material to him.
What spawned the idea to place
your statues in the newly
reconstructed sawmill?
I had most of the statues displayed in my backyard for
the longest time, and eventually people started visiting
to inspect them. I wanted to offer people a public spa-
ce where they could take a look at my work undistur-
bed. This is what led to the creation of the “Paradise
of Wooden Statues” in Ostravice and soon enough, it
became a popular attraction for visitors and locals. Last
year’s flood did a number on my exhibition though, as
the statues were unprotected from the rain and the wa-
ter even carried some of them all the way to Poland.
This is why I did not hesitate when I was offered to
display my work at the newly reconstructed sawmill.
Placing them there will provide them with shelter, hel-
ping them last longer. I started polishing each of them
up and transporting them over one-by-one. Not all of
the statues will be making the transfer however, as the
Paradise of Wooden Statues has its own charm, and,
for example, the Waterman or Catfish by the pond fit
there so well, they simply belong there.
The statues are pretty large, what is their
transportation process like?
It really is quite the challenge! Some of the larger pie-
ces need to be loaded onto trucks by an excavator or
other heavy machinery. My two sons have been a great
help in the transport of the statues. Each piece requi-
res unique measures to be taken and some need to be
secured to custom structures in order to prevent them
from getting damaged.
When you are working on a new piece,
what part of the process is most difficult for you?
Contrary to what you might think it is not the physical
labor, but the idea itself. Woodworking is one thing, but
I first need to create a composition, a form and a story.
For example, when I was making the pagan god statues
for the ZOO, I had to spend hours researching pagan
symbolism and past depictions of the gods. Then there
is also the fact that each piece of wood reacts different-
ly and has its own limits, which is something I need to
adapt to.
Do you have a favorite type of wood you prefer
working with?
Definitely oak. It is tough, durable and when treated
right, can last outside for decades. For example the
eagle I made from oak has spent years outside facing
the elements and still holds its form well. Other types
of woods do have their benefits too, even though they
do not have the durability oak does, ash and linden are
easier to shape.
What motifs do you enjoy creating the most?
I like animals the most. I enjoy capturing their dynamic
movements. I make human statues as well, however,
carving out a beautiful female figure is much more
challenging than carving a bear, as every detail has to
be perfect, otherwise something about the statue does
not feel right.
Can people commission you for a statue?
Of course, however, to be honest, each statue has its
own soul and shines the brightest when the idea is given
space to develop on its own without strictly adhering to
a customer‘s original wish. Though I do sometimes do
custom work.
What is in store for you now?
Right now, I am mainly preparing for the exhibition that
will take place in the sawmill in Ostravice. I am tou-
ching up old statues, creating new ones and arranging
the space so that visitors can have the best possible ex-
perience. As for what comes after? We will see where
the wood takes me!
Thank you for the interview.