Today I am visiting artist Michal Korman at his home and studio in Burgundy, a place where life and art quietly coexist.
We wanted the house to feel like a living artwork, something that reflects our relationship.
A Life With Art
Repostage: Michal, let’s start at the beginning. How did your relationship with art begin?
Michal Korman: Art was part of my life almost before I was aware of it. My mother loves to say that before I could even walk, at around seven months old, I was already drawing. From that moment, it simply stayed with me.
Repostage: Was there a moment when art shifted from being a passion to becoming your purpose?
Michal Korman: Yes, very clearly. In 2009, I had my first solo exhibition outside Slovakia, in Brussels. I was twenty-two. The response was unexpectedly strong, and for the first time, I felt that my work resonated beyond my immediate circle.
Repostage: Which artists, movements, or experiences have shaped your work the most over time?
Michal Korman: As a child, I was instinctively drawn to Renaissance painting. But everything changed when I was seventeen and traveled to Tuscany and Florence. I went to see the masterpieces I knew so well from books, yet what truly struck me was not only the paintings. It was the light, the landscape, the atmosphere of Italy.
Repostage: How would you describe your style of painting?
Michal Korman: That is always a difficult question. I strive for extreme flatness, a space where painting begins to feel like graphic art. I am deeply inspired by posters, illustration, lithography and Japanese woodblock prints. Even though my work is painted, visually it often resembles printmaking.
An International Journey
Repostage: Your work has been shown internationally, from Singapore to Art Basel Hong Kong and Miami. How did this journey unfold?
Michal Korman: I am not sure I would call it success, but I strongly believe in the importance of people. Not necessarily the right people, but good people. Those who offer critique, guidance, and unexpected support. They do not walk the path for you, but they help shape it.
I was exhibiting regularly in both solo and group shows when I met you, Olga. You came with a project that felt perfectly aligned with something I had been thinking about for months. An exhibition about nature, flowers, and space. I immediately felt it was exactly what I wanted to explore.
The House and Studio in Burgundy
Repostage: Your home is extraordinary. Can you tell us more about it?
Michal Korman: The house dates back at least to 1820, possibly even to the late eighteenth century. What makes it different from many other buildings in the village is its exposed timber structure combined with stone and brick.
We bought it from a Swiss artist who had retired and returned to his home country. From the beginning, we wanted to preserve its soul. We avoided aggressive renovations and resisted imposing a modern style on it. The house is modest in size, about 150 square meters, but it feels perfectly balanced between our life in Paris and our life in Burgundy.
Repostage: You and your husband Pierre decorated it together?
Michal Korman: Yes, we did. We wanted the house to feel like a living artwork, something that reflects our relationship. There are family heirlooms, antiques, objects from our travels, and contemporary art.
Each room has its own character. The living room is green and inspired by nature. The kitchen is yellow with blue and white accents. The study is red and filled with objects from the Middle East and Asia. The bedroom is painted in a cool blue and furnished with eighteenth-century French pieces. My studio sits next to a winter garden. The atmosphere is layered, eclectic, and very personal.
Antiques, Dogs and Final Advice
Repostage: You are clearly passionate about antiques. What advice would you give our readers?
Michal Korman: Buy what truly speaks to you. You are not creating a museum, you are building a life. We visit auction houses in Paris and Burgundy, flea markets in nearby villages, and antique shops whenever we travel.
The most meaningful objects are those that carry both memory and beauty.
Repostage: And finally, tell us about your dogs.
Michal Korman: When we bought the house, we knew we wanted dogs. We hesitated between Borzois and Dachshunds. Last August, we adopted two Dachshund puppies, Athena and Achille, so the small short-legged breed won.
They have become central to our lives. And yes, they have already appeared in my paintings. I have a feeling they might become the next stars of my work.
Where to Find Him
Art Basel Hong Kong, Pearl Lam gallery stand, 27–29 March 2026.
Good Addresses for Vintage Furniture
Joigny Enchères – Hôtel des ventes
16 rue Robert Petit, 89300 Joigny
joignyencheres.fr
Quentin Antiquités
37 rue Lucile Cormier, 89130 Toucy
Antiquités Art Galerie
77 rue de Paris, 89000 Auxerre
Galerie Styles & Chine
18 rue Paul Bert, 89130 Toucy
stylesetchine.com
