Czech Designer, Artist and Toy Maker John Cervenka was about 25 years older than me. We met during a talk I was giving at Sydney's Powerhouse Museum and became fast friends.
John's Artist wife Vera had died before I met him, but her touch was all over the ramshackle house/studio he lived in the Blue Mountains.
The Dining room was a permanent Christmas fantasia with string lights and Yuletide artworks and decorations. Every year we would have a traditional Czech Christmas Eve Feast in this twinkling wonderland.
Earlier this year John died and his house, filled with his and Vera's paintings, his vintage toys and the small workshop where he hand made tin toys, became a dark locked memory.
This Christmas Eve, his executor and friends held another feast. It was so much like old times that John's presence was almost palpable.
I was given a wrapped present that felt like an old Airfix kit box. When I unwrapped it, it was a vintage mint in box Astroray Gun.
I cannot think of a better object to remember my old friend by,
Happy Christmas, Moonbasers....
Looey
Oz
Wonderful memories, and a beautiful present.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing that; I found it incredibly poignant and, having lost friends in recent times, something I can relate to on many levels.
ReplyDeleteHere's to remembering those we have lost, and the good times we had.
D.C.
Santa’s new ride:
ReplyDeletehttps://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KGaxulK36B8
What a beautiful and moving story Looey. Thankyou for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeleteI live in the USA and have quite a collection of John's tin boats, light houses and some other toys. They are the stars of our home's decorating scheme. Several years ago my wife youngest son and I met John at his home in in the Blue Mountains. We had taken the train from Sydney and John met as at the rail station with his car. He then took us on a tour of the local area and then to his amazing home. As a designer my head was spinning. An incredible visual feast. John served us a wonderful lunch and we were given the grand tour of his home/studio providing memories we will never forget.
ReplyDeleteI worked for The Walt Disney Company and was in New York City on business. After my work day wrapped up I went for a walk down Broadway and was passing the Forbes Building and noticed a small sign hanging from the building that read Toy Museum. Curious I entered the building and was directed by the receptionist to the museum. Upon entry I met Jack Herbert the curator who took me on a tour of Malcolm Forbes beyond expansive collection of antique and not so antique but interesting toys. Jack specifically showed me John's ships that were on display and suggested that if I were ever interested in collecting toy I should start with John's ships. Well I did. The first one was the Alabama. It was shipped to my home. John's packing method was most unusual. Lots and lots of straw paced inside a John made wood crate. The ship inside was fascinating and beautiful. I was hooked. Then came the next and the next and so on. If you knew you know he looked Santa Clause. We told our young son he was definitely one of his helpers.Every day I get to see John's incredible work and think about the incredible man. Tom Bateman New Jersey USA