Ikon shows the first exhibition of work by renowned Czech artist Vladimír Kokolia in the United Kingdom which is a great success for the Czech Republic. A combination of new and recent paintings, plus drawings and installations, the show exemplifies an intensely experimental attitude that distils abstraction from everyday experience.

Central to Ikon’s exhibition is a selection of Kokolia’s paintings, produced in the small Moravian village Veverské Knínice where the artist lives and works, inspired by his rural surroundings. Paintings such as Apple Tree and Looking Into The Crown (both 2013) reflect his fascination with trees, in particular their constantly changing shapes and the way light travels through leaves. Key to understanding Kokolia’s artistic practice is his awareness of the possibility of epiphanies, seemingly unremarkable events that give rise to a kind of weaving of wonder.

Press release (PDF, 733 KB)

The exhibition was opened by the Czech Ambassador, HE Libor Sečka and the Ikon gallery´s Director, Jonathan Watkins. The artist himself, Vladimír Kokolia, was present at the opening too and was truly happy to share his  views on his work when talking to the guests.

On 5 July morning, symposium entitled "Small Nations and Global Identities: Czech Questions" took place at the Ikon gallery, with the presence of the artist, V. Kokolia and the curator, M. Ambroz. It considered the formation of modern Czech identity in the arts, politics and the media, focusing on key global events of the 20th century and responds to various celebrations in the Czech Republic and the UK, including the centenary of the foundation of Czechoslovakia in 1918 and fiftieth anniversary of the Prague Spring and Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968.

On 5 July evening, Ambassasor Libor Sečka hosted a Garden party in honour of Vladimír Kokolia at his residence. Just over 100 guests attended - artists, gallery owners, journalists, partners and sponsors of the Embassy. They enjoyed the fantastic weather, great jazz music and Czech food and drink in the beautiful garden.

All photographs from the exhibition opening and Garden party by Ms. Jolly Thompson are available on this link: https://jollythompson.dphoto.com/#/album/07145o

On Sunday 8 July, the renowned newspaper The Observer" published an excellent and very positive review of Vladimír Kokolia´s exhibition: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2018/jul/08/vladimir-kokolia-epiphany-francis-alys-knots-n-dust-ikon-review-birmingham