& Ethical Statement

2025

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ARTIST STATEMENT

I have always been drawn to the macabre, experiencing the divide between the old world in my homeland Slovakia and the new modern in Australia and cherishing the aesthetic of the rusty, broken, tarnished, old. This fascination extends to history, culture and fashion; fleeing Communist Slovakia as a refugee in the 80’s has instilled a conservational, “save what you can” / borderline hoarding, ethos in me.

In second-hand shops, I buy strange relics I am drawn to with seemingly no use, bar their rarity and beauty, mysterious items that would tell a thousand stories if they could speak. I am compelled to breathe new life into them and give them new meaning within art so they are not merely discarded, adding to waste upon the earth.

My love of historical fashion and antique shopping often inspires which characters I create, as most of the clothing and accessories they wear are found as authentic pieces from the culture and era the character is representing.

The personality of each character seemingly comes forth from the animal. Each one has unique characteristics that drive the outcome, for example, I can’t make an old fox with a few battle scars into a princess, I must go with the innate character and turn him into, for instance, a pirate. I opt to take the path of least resistance and go with the natural flow and in this way I feel I honor the animals by respecting their nature and giving reverence.

My work explores themes connected to archetypes, culture, folklore, mythologies, fashion, history, migration, animal instincts, our connection to and dominion over animals, ecology, conservation, death, rebirth, evolution and everlasting life.

I am driven by impulse and aesthetics, and I revel in the creative process, especially when pieces of the puzzle fall into place with perfect synchronicity. Creating inspires me to reflect on the world beyond the present, on our ancestors’ roots on the Earth, our footprints, the stories we pass down from generation to generation, our future.  

ETHICAL STATEMENT

The skins I use to create my work are ethically sourced, they would otherwise go to waste. Foxes were brought to Australia hundreds of years ago and have spread rapidly around Australia, they are creating ecological collapse, native animal extinction and adding to global warming.

Due to this, on government orders for environmental reasons they are ethically culled. Their skins are generally discarded, which is a great waste. I collect their skins and aim to make a positive out of the unfortunate situation and create new life out of death, while helping our native animals and ecosystem to thrive.

Australia’s unique situation with foxes makes fox fur from Australia the most ethical fox fur available on the planet. A sustainability and conservatory ethos permeates my life and work, as I’m passionate about Australia’s unique native ecosystem and aim to give back through my art. I donate a percentage of my earnings to several nature conservation charities.