The exhibition explores the phenomenon of artistic partnerships in the visual arts, meaning the relationship between married artists or life partners, with a focus on artists whose personal and artistic careers unfolded against the historical upheavals of the 20th century. The exhibition’s chronological arrangement traces the evolution of the various relationships and the partners’ changing status in the different social and political conditions. Their process of artistic creation was influenced by external circumstances and by small, personal, everyday stories.
The selected artists’ works included in the exhibition show that creativity often arises from a dialogue between two people – from inspiration and support, but sometimes also from rivalry. Visitors to the exhibition can explore how these relationships were reflected in the artists’ choice of artistic themes, techniques and styles, and also in how they reflected the reality of their time. From Art Nouveau and modernism to Socialist Realism and conceptual art, each part of the exhibition looks at different layers of mutual “interaction”.
In addition to iconic and widely recognized artistic duos, the exhibition also presents lesser-known, often overlooked creative partnerships. It thus raises questions of visibility and recognition: to what extent has the work of one partner been overshadowed by the more prominent or famous personality of the other? Is sufficient attention being paid to overlooked creative voices whose work is equally unique and of equal quality? A contemporary perspective can help us to re-evaluate these relationships and offer a new way of reading the works.
The visual dialogue between the selected partners encourages deeper reflection on the importance of human closeness in the art world and on the extent to which such partnerships are influenced by historical circumstances and social conventions. While we cannot change the past, we can change how we perceive the complex system of mutual respect and support, which can be both a source of creative energy and a limiting factor whose shadow is difficult to overcome.
The exhibition was supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic and the Statutory City of Hradec Králové.
Linka Procházková (1884–1960) & Antonín Procházka (1882–1945)
Anna Macková (1887–1969) & Josef Váchal (1884–1969)
Augusta Nekolová (1890–1919) & Jaroslav Jareš (1886–1967)
Toyen (1902–1980) & Jindřich Štyrský (1899–1942) & Jindřich Heisler (1914–1953)
Marie Wagnerová-Kulhánková (1906–1983) & Josef Wagner (1901–1957)
Běla Kolářová (1923–2010) & Jiří Kolář (1914–2002)
Jitka Válová (1922–2011) & Květa Válová (1922–1998)
Adriena Šimotová (1926–2014) & Jiří John (1923–1972)
Eva Kmentová (1928–1980) & Olbram Zoubek (1926–2017)
Emila Medková (1928–1985) & Mikuláš Medek (1926–1974)
Zdena Fibichová (1933–1991) & Vladimír Preclík (1929–2008)
Zorka Ságlová (1942–2003) & Jan Ságl (* 1942)
Miroslava Zychová (* 1945) & Bohumír Komínek (1944–1999)
Světlana Pavlíčková (* 1954) & Radoslav Pavlíček (* 1952)
