Stunning Collection of Photography of Milan Sklenar--Mostly Mexico Based Historical Views and Street Images circa 1983

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Stunning Collection of Photography of Milan Sklenar--Mostly Mexico Based Historical Views and Street Images circa 1983

Photographs range in size. There are approximately 210 4 x 5-inch prints, 530 5 x 7-inch prints and 60 8 x 10-inch prints.  The bulk of this collection, acquired from Milan Sklenar's widow, are prints Sklenar developed himself in his darkroom in Gallup, New Mexico.  Most have been stored flat in photo boxes; many, however, have developed a curl.  Very good to fine condition.  Estimated 800 prints.  Some duplication or slight darkroom variations. Should be examined.

Milan Sklenar fled the oppressive Czech regime in 1966 emigrating to Vancouver, Canada.  Even as a kid, Sklenar wanted to study film and photography, avenues not available to him in the Czech Republic and he ended up with a degree in metallurgy. After living on the streets of Vancouver Island he found himself in Montreal with the opportunity to study film and art history before using a student visa to move to New York City in 1979. Wherever Sklenar was, he always carried his camera and soon was shooting vernacular "street photography". One definition of street photography, or candid photography is: "photography conducted for art that captures unplanned chance encounters and random occasions within public places."  Sklenar took this idea to another level choosing to utilize the reflective qualities of glass, hence realizing multiple views within an image.  Viewing Milan Sklenar's street photography requires a relaxed eye to capture all the layers and complexities.
After New York City, Milan Sklenar moved to the southwest, first to Los Angeles and Ft. Defiance, Arizona before settling in Gallup, New Mexico.  Sklenar taught photography at the University of New Mexico, Gallup branch while restlessly pursuing his love of street photography and a new love for the cultures of the southwest and Mexico.

Milan Sklenar's work was virtually unknown until a 1998 monograph was published on the occasion of his exhibition at the Galeria Jose Maria Velasco Instituto Nacional de Belles Artes in Mexico City.  Sklenar shot street photography constantly and the monograph, simply titled "Milan Sklenar" features his work from the Czech Republic, Canada, New York, Mexico and his final hometown of Gallup, New Mexico and surrounding Navajo Reservation lands.

This collection from Mexico apparently dates from 1983 when Sklenar spent a portion of that year living and traveling the country. Unlike Sklenar’s New York or Gallup images, Milan photographed many cultural sights in Mexico.  Even so, his style of photography is evident. Views of pyramids and other cultural sights are unlike your typical tourist images. Sklenar’s perspective is unusual and unique.  This collection also contains a large number of his classic street views in the style he was known for; unaware subjects going about their daily lives. A rich and varied collection.

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