Velčovský's statue of Masaryk stands in Moravské náměstí in Brno

Brno – A statue of the first Czechoslovak president Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk was placed today at Moravské náměstí in Brno by artist and designer Maxim Velčovský. The work commemorates 100 years since the founding of Masaryk University and will be on display until September 30, 2019. After that, discussions will take place regarding its permanent location in Brno, said Jan Press, director of the Moravian Gallery to reporters today.

"The statue is owned by the Moravian Gallery. Although it is a collection item, we want to present it in a public space. The statue commemorates the centennial anniversary of Masaryk University, and its placement at Moravské náměstí holds both political and social significance," Press stated.

After the installation at Moravské náměstí, the Masaryk statue will look for a new location where the Moravian Gallery will place it permanently. "We have received many offers; city districts and various institutions have contacted us. There have been discussions about Masaryk's Oncology Institute, Masaryk Quarter, or the Masaryk University campus. However, we do not yet know where the statue will stand, but it will likely remain in Brno," Press said.

The statue of the first president was created last year and garnered attention at the RE:PUBLIKA festival, where it was part of the Avant Garde exhibition prepared in collaboration with the Moravian Gallery. It was then exhibited in Prague during the Designblok showcase. The Moravian Gallery received the statue as a gift. It is another installation in a public space. In 2017, the gallery exhibited the Pink Tank by David Černý on the occasion of the Tribes 90 exhibition.