Modrák – Kuriš Martin (2022)

The publication "Modrák" is another authorial picture book by artist and educator Martin Kuriš. The book contains over 180 color reproductions of paintings and illustrations, mostly painted with tempera and oil on paper or canvas. Its narrative develops a fairy tale set in the picturesque landscape of northern Bohemia. The main character is a magical tractor named MODRÁK, which is discovered by the grandfather's dog, Žulík. The dog lives with the grandfather in a small house at the end of the village, and Modrák helps them find lost love. The story was created primarily in a visual form (the author first painted the pictures and then wrote the text). The book resembles a picture comic. The fairy tale reflects events from rural life, where Martin Kuriš has lived and painted for over thirty years. It depicts the transformation of the four seasons, the simple rural way of life, the death of the author's mother, work in the fields and forests. It is partly a metaphorical autobiographical narrative through images. The story is about ordinary life connected with nature, about mystery, about aging, about magic, about friendship, about love, and healing. It is a picture story close to a fairy tale. This artistic publication is recommended for readers aged 8 and up.