Jan Knap (1949) UNTITLED - OPUS 69

Jan Knap's work emphasizes craftsmanship, which the artist thoroughly absorbed from Gerhard Richter in order to develop his chosen themes. Jan Knap also studied theology, but art ultimately prevailed, even though his work is charged with intimacy and spiritual essence. Symbols of childhood, parenthood, the sanctity of family love, and closeness are part of his carefully composed paintings. Their idealized, calm, and uncomplicated messages are not only Christian but also humanistic, with a certain value reference. In 1979, Jan Knap and his colleagues from the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf founded a group called Normal. Paradoxically, the uncontroversial name of the group is a fairly accurate expression of Jan Knap's work.

Published: Wohlmuth, R., Vachudová, B., 2014: Jan Knap - Drawings and Paintings (exhibition catalog). ART Chrudim Gallery. Cover page and p. 42.