In the exhibition series 1 + 1 , the Beseder Gallery will present two distinctive artists—Stanislav Diviš and Karel Štědrý—at the start of the fall exhibition season. They share a professor-student relationship and are separated by a generation. Artistically, their work is not a confrontation but rather a kinship: both use geometric principles as a means of expression.

Stanislav Diviš (*1953) studied at the Academy of Fine Arts (AVU) in the 1980s. There he met Jiří David, and together with other students at the academy, they began organizing semi-legal art exhibitions called “Konfrontace.” From this movement, the group Tvrdohlaví emerged in 1987. Most of its members, including Diviš, are associated with the Czech postmodern movement. From 2003 to 2010, he headed the painting studio at UMPRUM.

Stanislav Diviš’s works hover on the edge of abstraction. However, they almost always retain their representational quality—we can interpret them through symbolic signs. Other elements of Diviš’s work include bold use of color and the creation of large cycles (Spartakiáda, 1990; Remnants, 1995; or Mushrooms, 1995). In his work, the artist likes to return to his favorite themes, which he repeatedly recycles and reinterprets, while also working with new subjects. In addition to his visual art, Diviš is also involved in music—he is the lead singer of the band Krásné nové stroje.

Karel Štědrý (*1985) studied in Diviš’s studio at UMPRUM from 2003 to 2010. In 2006, he founded the group OBR with David Hanvald, Josef Achrer, and Martin Krajec. He held his first solo exhibition that same year, meaning he has been exhibiting for 20 years. Like Stanislav Diviš, he uses geometry in his paintings, but his approach is different—he infuses his work with playfulness, the joy of creation, emotion, and, of course, reason.

Karel Štědrý’s artistic language is influenced by street art culture and digital painting. He uses a computer instead of sketchbooks. His primary source of inspiration was the Merkur construction set—with its color palette, simple shapes, and combinatorial possibilities. In his work, he uses acrylic paints, pastels, spray paint, and handmade charcoal. The combination of these media sometimes creates a collage-like effect. In addition to painting, Karel Štědrý creates sculptures and objects. Some of his works adorn various public spaces. He is currently participating in an artist residency in Bamberg, Bavaria.