Josef Oplištil
(25. 11. 1979)
Josef Oplištil belongs to the young generation of Czech designers of commemorative
medals and coins. He completed his studies in Jablonec nad
Nisou where he now works as a teacher at the Higher Technical School with
a specialization in minted medals and coins. He got his first idea of the
study at an art academy already while he was still a pupil at the basic school,
because he had the opportunity to attend private lessons at the academic
painter Václav Zeman, who strongly supported his interest and talent.
At the secondary school his professors included Petr Horák, Jitka Jelínková
and Jiří Dostál. Josef Oplištil regularly takes part in competitions announced
by the Czech National Bank. His previous known works include
for instance a design for a gold commemorative coin featuring the Kačina
Chateau (2004, Czech National Bank), his recent works include a silver medallion
on the centenary of the birth of the legendary actress Nataša Gollová,
which was issued by the Prague Mint last year. Although the bas-relief
prevails in his present work, he also likes returning to his sculptural work.
Josef Oplištil was born in Hlinsko. After completing the Secondary School
of Applied Arts and the Higher Technical School in Jablonec nad Nisou, he
enrolled in the studio of figurative sculpture and medals at the Academy
of Fine Arts in Prague. His professors were Jan Hendrych and Doc. Milada
Othová who helped to develop his visual expression to the professional level.
At present, he lives with his family in Jablonec nad Nisou.
INTERVIEW
In comparison with older Czech medal designers your career is understandably
relatively short. How many designs have you managed to
produce?
I took part in ten issued coins for the Czech National Bank, whether it were
designs of both sides or I was the author of only side. Then there are four productions
for the Czech Mint and further two for the Prague Mint. There have
been, however, dozens of competitions for the Czech National Bank.
Which of your designs are you most passionate about?
I value some portrait productions, for instance Gustav Mahler or Jiří Trnka. An
organic shape is always harder than, for example, the work on some architectural
theme.
What do you enjoy more – architecture or portrait?
Generally, I can say that I enjoy portrait more, but I have my own philosophy
that there are no small themes; therefore it is important to prepare every
theme as best as possible. Abstract themes, for example political themes, are
very difficult; to express the presidency of the Czech Republic calls for a different
type of thinking and at the same time it allows a different morphology,
a different meaning of things.
You regularly apply to different competitions where the theme is already
given. If it were up to you, for whom or for which event would you
like to make a medal?
In private I started to work on a cycle of medals dealing with the portrait of
Karel Čapek. At present, I have in my drawer nine versions which rather defy
the requirements of the coin relief technology. This is because I take the relief
below the base surface. It is a freer form of execution which is not bound by
any requirement of realistic modelling of anatomy. So that is what I am quietly
working on in.
At present, coin and medal production seem to prevail over sculpture in
your work …
Due to time reasons medals and coins really prevail now. Apart from that
I sometimes get to modelling of busts, portraits and heads. I am a little restricted
by my teaching obligations; nevertheless, this work really interests me a lot.
SESTROJENÍ STAROMĚSTSKÉHO ORLOJE – návrhy mince 200 Kč - sada 3x stříbro 1 Oz Proof 10 680,00 Kč
SESTROJENÍ STAROMĚSTSKÉHO ORLOJE - návrhy mince 200 Kč - sada 3x stříbro 34mm b.k. 4 776,00 Kč
Sada zlatého dukátu a stříbrného odražku 17. listopad 1989 - proof 10 836,00 Kč
RABÍ JEHUDA LÖW – návrhy mince 200 Kč - sada I. 3x stříbro 34mm b.k. v etui 4 776,00 Kč
RABÍ JEHUDA LÖW – návrhy mince 200 Kč - sada I. 3x stříbro 1 Oz Proof 10 680,00 Kč
Nataša Gollová - 100. výročí narození Au b.k. 47 940,00 Kč
Nataša Gollová - 100. výročí narození Ag proof 2 790,00 Kč
MOST V NÁMĚŠTI NAD OSLAVOU – návrhy mince 5000 Kč sada tří Au medailí 1/2 Oz Proof 159 420,00 Kč
MOST V NÁMĚŠTI NAD OSLAVOU – návrhy mince 5000 Kč sada 3x stříbro 28 mm Proof 2 868,00 Kč
MOST V NÁMĚŠTI NAD OSLAVOU – návrhy mince 5000 Kč sada 3x stříbro 1 Oz Proof 10 788,00 Kč
KRYŠTOF HARANT Z POLŽIC A BEZDRUŽIC – návrhy mince 200 Kč - sada 3x stříbro 34mm b.k. 3 576,00 Kč
KRYŠTOF HARANT Z POLŽIC A BEZDRUŽIC – návrhy mince 200 Kč - sada 3x stříbro 1 Oz Proof 10 680,00 Kč
Josef Václav Myslbek - 90. výročí úmrtí Au b.k. 47 940,00 Kč
Josef Václav Myslbek - 90. výročí úmrtí Ag b.k. 2 790,00 Kč
17. LISTOPAD 1989 – návrhy mince 200 Kč - sada 3x stříbro 1 Oz Proof 10 680,00 Kč
17. listopad 1989 - zlato 1/2 Oz Proof 47 880,00 Kč
17. listopad 1989 - stříbro malá Proof 1 798,80 Kč
17. listopad 1989 - stříbro 1 Oz b.k. 4 788,00 Kč
17. listopad 1989 - 1 Oz b.k. Měď 499,00 Kč