Laura Zvěřina, Šimon Tóth and Dávid Čerťanský are the three young artists whose works were selected as the best by the jury of the 21st edition of the renowned Maľba competition. Along with recognition from an international expert jury, each of the three winners will also receive a cash prize. As the competition's organiser, VÚB Foundation is once again making the exhibition of young painters accessible to the general public. The works of all 20 finalists can be viewed free of charge at the Nedbalka Gallery in Bratislava until 9 November.
The artworks submitted to the Maľba 2026 competition were evaluated independently by an expert panel whose composition changes every year. For the 21st edition, the jury consisted of David Maljković, chair of the jury and one of Croatia's most prominent and respected contemporary artists; Michał Borowik, a Polish collector of contemporary art, curator and author; Barbora Kundračíková, a Czech lecturer and art historian; and Denisa Tomková, a Slovak art theorist working at the Faculty of Humanities of Charles University in Prague. During a meeting held this week, the jury selected the three winners of this year's competition.
This year, first and third place went to artists making their debut in the competition. Two of the three award winners were participating in Maľba for the first time. In addition to the main prizes, the jury also presented a Special Jury Prize to artist Nancy Lacová to encourage her in her future artistic endeavours.
1st place: Laura Zvěřina with the painting After the Last Review
The jury praised the winning work for the way it explores ideas through the medium of painting. Laura Zvěřina addresses deeply personal subjects, expressing them convincingly, thoughtfully and sensitively. Her work is characterised by a distinctive use of colour and remarkable depth. The artist has developed a strong visual language and an already well-established artistic identity, both of which are evident in her portfolio. She will receive a cash prize of €15,000.
2nd place: Šimon Tóth with the painting Po celom dni (All Day)
Of the three winning works, this is the most existential in nature, exploring the feeling of being alive. The artist demonstrates a profound understanding of the world around him and an ability to transform everyday experiences into painting. The work explores feelings of emptiness and the individual's physical experience while also expressing a strong connection to the space of the house or home and the act of caring for it. He will receive a cash prize of €10,000.
3rd place: Dávid Čerťanský with the painting Kino (Cinema)
The selected painting draws on the artist's experience of the region and formally references the geometry and aesthetics of modernist and socialist architecture in public spaces. In terms of its content, the jury praised the way the painting addresses important social issues and social responsibility. Through this work, the artist creates a context for exploring human relationships and poses the question: Who are they, and who are we? The third-place finalist will receive a cash prize of €5,000.
The Maľba – VÚB Foundation Award for Painting by Young Artists has become one of Slovakia's most prominent initiatives supporting and promoting contemporary visual art over the two decades of its existence. Across its 21 editions, the competition has recognised 53 artists and awarded them a total of €460,000 in prize money. Throughout its history, it has presented more than 400 works of art to both the professional art community and the general public.
This year, VÚB Foundation has once again organised an exhibition at the Nedbalka Gallery in collaboration with Nina Gažovičová, the competition's expert curator. Admission is free for all visitors. The exhibition aims to raise public awareness of the quality of contemporary Slovak art.
Art enthusiasts can view the works submitted by all 20 finalists until 8 November. The exhibition will also feature two guided tours led by Nina Gažovičová, taking place on 13 and 20 October at 5:30 p.m. Admission to both tours is free, but registration via Eventbrite is required.
