"It brings together two things I love—hockey and fine art," praised former New Jersey Devils forward Patrik Eliáš when discussing the Get on the Ice exhibition. Inspired by his wife and their shared visits to galleries, Eliáš has even taken up art collecting. At the National Gallery's exhibition, subtitled "Hockey and Art in Pictures," he encountered works by some of his favorite artists. One piece that particularly caught his attention was by Krištof Kintera, titled Don’t Play Sports, Work, which features a set of garden tools made from hockey stick handles.
What is your relationship with fine art?
I have a deep appreciation for fine art, which my wife, who loves visiting exhibitions and has a great understanding of art, has helped me develop. There are some artists whose works I really enjoy, while others resonate with me less. There are even some pieces that don’t speak to me much, but that’s okay—everyone is different. I’m not an expert who attends every exhibition, but I am interested in art. And I’m really glad that this exhibition combines both fine art and hockey, something I’m very passionate about.
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I’ve played hockey with Krištof Kintera. We got to know each other, and I visited his studio. His works are quite different, unique, and abstract, and I like them. I also appreciate the humor and irony in them.
Which part of the exhibition impressed you the most? Do you prefer traditional or contemporary art?
I was impressed by both parts. Some of the older works were very interesting. The historical section featured many remarkable pieces, and there’s always something new to learn. For example, we discovered that the origins of skating and the first mentions of hockey came from the Netherlands, which people don’t often realize. I also enjoyed the works of contemporary artists. I know Krištof Kintera personally, so I wasn’t surprised to see his work here. I also liked the works of Jakub Špaňhel and the goal installation by Karel Štědrý.
Was there a particular piece at the exhibition that you will definitely remember?
I knew that Ivan Hlinka painted in his free time, but I was surprised by just how beautiful his work is. In my opinion, it captures the emotions of every hockey player when they say goodbye to their career. You can really feel the sadness that comes with the end of an active hockey career and the good times that go with it.
Do you collect art? Do you have any sports-inspired pieces in your collection, or even works by artists featured in this exhibition?
My wife is the main collector, but I do have some pieces myself. I've acquired works from artists I've either met personally or whose art I really like. From the artists featured in the Get on the Ice exhibition, we have pieces by Krištof Kintera and Jakub Špaňhel at home. We always need to be struck by a painting, whether it's the subject or the story behind it. Sometimes we know the artist personally, and other times we pick out a piece during a gallery visit. That’s how it was at Jakub Špaňhel’s exhibition, where we saw his famous butterfly-themed works, which I really liked.
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I’ve even played hockey with Krištof Kintera. We got to know each other, and I visited his studio. His works are very different, unique, and abstract, and I like them. I also appreciate the humor and irony in them. You really have to find the idea and the truth in his works; otherwise, I don’t think they would make sense at all.
You lived in New Jersey for a long time, very close to New York, a global center of art. Did you have the opportunity to visit any of the galleries there, given your busy hockey schedule?
The last time we were in New York, we visited the Guggenheim Museum. I’m not even sure if any of my teammates were passionate art collectors or art lovers. I only visited exhibitions occasionally; it was really my wife who sparked my interest in art.
