Zora Valentová
Two Slovak towns of Modra and Turčianske Teplice may be proud of professional ceramist Viliam Hronec. Each of them affected his double qualification career.
Between 1971 and 1973, Viliam Hronec was educated and trained how to work with a potter’s wheel in ceramic production cooperative Slovenská ľudová majolika in Modra. He continued to work there after he completed his training. In 1979, he became an independent ceramist and established a working relation with the ÚĽUV. He began his independent career by making traditional faience copies. At the turn of the 1980s and 1990s, the artisan made products according to designs of visual artist Eva Kramplová from the ÚĽUV.
He moved to Turčianske Teplice in 1980. Here, he was asked by the Slovak National Museum in Martin to revive the defunct production of traditional regional ceramic. It was a pottery production which required new knowledge of materials, techniques, production process and products range from him as the majolica maker. Viliam Hronec decided to make traditional utility bright green vessels which are popular among customers for their classical shapes and simple ornamentation. He also made a three-coloured collection of ceramic products, producing an interesting white-red-black marble effect.
Viliam Hronec remains active in both disciplines. He says that he earns his bread by doing ceramics and it is a modest type of living.