Štěpán Brabenec - Wooden Souls

Štěpán (b. 1974, Prague) grew up surrounded by the world of puppet theatre, which deeply influenced his artistic path. Encouraged by his parents and driven by natural artistic talent, he began creating puppets at an early age. Later, he also discovered a passion for articulated art dolls. Today, he crafts both with great care, creating original, handcrafted pieces made entirely of wood.

His experience includes work as a model maker in industrial design and 14 years as a restorer at the National Technical Museum in Prague. Štěpán’s work combines traditional Czech puppetry with a contemporary approach to figurative art—infused with subtle humor, storytelling, and a poetic touch.

Every piece is made by hand, with great respect for the material and an emphasis on emotion and expression. Wood gives his characters not only shape but also soul—inviting viewers to connect, smile, remember, and feel.