Born in Prague, Jarmila Kostliva has always been a participant of performing as well as fine arts. Music, theatre and dance are all influences that imbue her work with vitality and drama. Finding provocative inspiration in Carl Gustav Jung’s meditation on symbols of collective human psyche, Jarmila`s paintings explore realms of emerging subjectivity in varying states of visual conception. She brings gracefully formulated sense of drama to her compositions, extending upon the subterranean mysteries of her archetypal reflections. These images originate from intuitive impulses. Kostliva has exhibited worldwide.
My visual arts college education in Czechoslovakia was intended to prepare me for career of an artist and designer. However, after my graduation I decided to follow my second “dream profession" of becoming a professional ballet dancer. Since my childhood I have been attending ballet and music schools as well, and it felt natural to choose a new opportunity to join professional dance company. Later, I appeared on stage and in film, working with numerous ballet and dance companies of State Opera and Ballet in Czech Republic, Germany and Canada performing in ballet, operas and musicals, touring extensively in North and South America. After my dance career was about to end, I have decided to get back to painting and seriously pursue the visual arts career. Travel through the continents to study diverse cultures, especially ancient, primitive and aboriginal, became great inspiration to my work. Also experience of the dancer's discipline, stage, music, fantasy, and process to transform the body and mind to different levels of the awareness was important part of my life. It has formed and influenced the way I express and define myself in my art work.
Please see my exhibition history and awards on http://www.absolutearts.com/portfolios/k/kostliva