Vratislav Karel Novák was born on 13 December 1942 in Prague in a family lawyer. High school years spent in Babylon technical college (1957 - 1961) earned him a basic grounding in sculptural metalwork. There are further developed in the 60th years of study at the Academy of Arts in Prague in the studio Jana Nusl (1961-1967). After her graduation in 1968, returning to Jablonec nad Nisou, where he set up his own studio and begins a freelancer. He is monumental contracts for architecture and public space north Bohemian towns, in which places its kinetic and light sculptures, as well as interior realizations or peculiar small objects-trucks, called cyklotům.

From the 80th years, finds its own way a distinctive authorial jewelry. There is growing exhibitions in the Czech Republic and abroad. With the advent of free situation in the country after 1989 begins intensive travel and work abroad also. Accepts the offer of his old alma mater and thirty-three semesters taught in sculpture studio specialized in metal and jewelry. In 1990, he became an assistant professor, about two years later professor.

In 1994, the studio takes the lead and provides young adepts free and inspirational environment. His candor and diligence is a good example to others, inviting guests from abroad, students organize creative breaks and workshops, as well as studio shows, for example in Czech Krumlov or in Jablonec nad Nisou. In 1993, organized by the Moravian Gallery in Brno extensive exhibition Novak's work aptly named publication. A year later, this exhibition presents the premises Karolina Czech Museum of Fine Arts in Prague. He gets his representative contracts, among other things, creates kinetic sculpture at the Prague Metronome for summer Czechoslovak the Universal Exhibition of 1991, is in charge of the team of authors MS. Exposure at Expo 92 in Seville, Spain and crystal tower proposed for the city of Cincinnati in Ohio, North American, which together with the local jewelery designer Susan Rae Ewing implemented in 2001 - 2006.

Significant anniversaries author recalls in 2007, a large retrospective exhibition Identification VKN in the Regional Gallery in Liberec. In this project, Wroclaw K. Smith initiates an exhibition of teachers, graduates and students of his Prague studio, which is titled Identification of 33 semester takes place in N University Gallery and the Museum of Glass and Jewellery. In 2007, Professor Smith ends his long teaching activity at the University of Applied Arts in Prague and since 2008 he has been in the attic of a dynamically developing Institute of Art and Design, University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, where he teaches design and metal jewelry.

Unusual formation VK Novák is characterized by a high degree of inventiveness and is very diverse and multi-layered. In his sculptures and jewelry manifests refinement of metal material, shape and technical purity and perfection. VK Novák is a significant creator of kinetic sculptures and light, which follows the interwar tradition of this particular branch of modern sculpture. In the field of jewelry pay for exceptional individuality and authority to upgrade the jewel of his purely decorative function and beautification to consummate work of art. Influenced by many young sculptors, jewelers and designers.