The exhibition Small Celebrations presents Antonín Střížek as an attentive observer of scenes that are often utterly ordinary, yet poetic in their own way. The painter and photographer, renowned for his idyllic landscapes and urban still lifes, presents images with a subtle touch of dreaminess or nostalgia. These appear in an almost theatrically magical way in this year’s series of Bauhaus canvases, which builds on his earlier depictions of geometric shapes. This time, however, he adds a narrative—inspired by the Triadic Ballet, the famous avant-garde dance performance created in 1922 by German artist, choreographer, and Bauhaus representative Oskar Schlemmer.

“At the Marienbad Gallery, we will present Antonín Střížek in a more comprehensive way. He applies his extraordinary perceptiveness, sense of detail, and harmony not only in his uniquely poetic canvases but also in his photographic work. He notices beauty in things we normally overlook. In his paintings and photographs, he freezes them in time and naturally, intently draws the viewer’s attention to them. “I’m glad we can present him in the Mariánské Lázně setting, and we’re also planning a joint accompanying program in the form of a guided tour and an interview,” says gallery director Klára Khine.

Antonín Střížek was born in Rumburk and spent his childhood in Ostrava-Poruba. He studied at the Secondary School of Applied Arts in Prague and, from 1983 to 1988, at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague, where he later headed Painting Studio III for five years. He currently lives and works in Prague and Milovice. He has held dozens of solo exhibitions both at home and abroad, and his works are included in the collections of the National Gallery in Prague and other major institutions around the world.

His artistic approach is also inspired by the countries he has visited, such as China, Mexico, and Japan. This is reflected in the colors and materials he uses. He most often paints with oil paints on canvas; watercolor has also found a place in his work, but in his studio, one can also observe a strong affinity for painting on paper.

Air occupies a special place in his paintings. Something so natural and invisible—something we notice most when we lack it. However, the air in his paintings is not merely present in the composition; we can almost tangibly feel it, for example, in his depictions of clothing store windows or rooms with chairs.

Among his exceptional works is the design of the curtain for the Prague State Opera from 2002. Its motif is a scene from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s final opera, The Magic Flute, for whose new production the curtain was originally intended. This work is currently housed in the collection of the National Museum.

In an exhibition space of 250 m², Antonín Střížek will present dozens of oil paintings, as well as watercolors and photographs. The exhibition also includes a film directed by the artist’s daughter, the artist Johana Střížková. In it, Střížek answers questions posed by art historian and curator Karel Srp.

Curators: Alena Mrovcová, Klára Khine