Peter Kuraj — SECOND WIND

The ATELIER HLAVINA Gallery has prepared an exhibition of sculptures by Peter Kuraj titled Second Breath at the MÚR Gallery in Prešov.

“I find joy in transforming objects — from used to beautiful — and I consider it my life’s mission.”— Peter Kuraj

In our photo gallery, we present a selection of images from the opening of this beautiful exhibition, along with views of the exhibited sculptures.

The event was opened with a speech by the gallery’s owner, Marta Ferjová, who, together with her family, served as both host and principal organizer of the vernissage as well as the entire exhibition.

The exhibition was curated by Viera Žáková from the ATELIER HLAVINA Gallery, who introduced visitors to the personality and work of Peter Kuraj during the opening.

The exhibition will be on view at the MÚR Gallery until June 24, 2022.

Peter Kuraj was born in 1976 in Gelnica. His childhood, spent in the Spiš region—considered the gateway to the Slovak Paradise National Park—profoundly shaped his artistic sensibility. From an early age, he developed a deep appreciation for the beauty of nature and an admiration for its inherent creativity, capable of producing such remarkable “works of art.”

Nature—its beauty as well as its fragility—first led him toward environmental awareness and protection. Along this path, a natural admiration for the enduring and authentic qualities of natural materials gradually emerged.

A defining aspect of his work is his effort to highlight the vulnerability of fragile ecosystems, often through the transformation of waste into artistic form. He works with discarded materials, repurposing them into meaningful artistic expressions.

Waste, remnants, used and abandoned objects have become a rich and inspiring material foundation for his work across art, craft, and design. He primarily uses reclaimed components made of metal and wood, often with significant historical value—decades-old beech mining sleepers, centuries-old larch planks, forged parts from old agricultural machinery, mining equipment, and traditional tools once used by previous generations.

Through his work, these forgotten objects are given new life and meaning.

Peter Kuraj lives and works in Spišská Nová Ves, where he resides with his wife and two sons.