Born in Olomouc, Czechoslovakia in 1930, impressionist artist Kamil Kubik grew up in uncertain times. Forced to defect from his home in 1948 to escape Communist influence, Kubik spent the next few years of his life in a refugee camp. He eventually found passage on a boat to Australia, where Kubik’s luck began to change. He met his wife and they spent several years traveling the world for her career. In due course, they moved to America and Kubik opened the St. James Gallery on Madison Ave in Manhattan.
Most famous for his cityscapes and floral paintings, Kubik painted cityscapes of Central Park, Prague, London, and even the White House, along with a scene from nearly every state in the United States. His work gained so much notoriety that he became the official artist for the White House, including being selected to create the official White House Christmas cards in 1991 and 1992.
Kubik was also the artist for the US Tennis and Golf championships for several years. Later, he was commissioned by the head of the New York Stock Exchange to do a piece on the trade floor, inspiring Kubik to create his Wall Street series. Kubik’s talent was honored in 1997 by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations with the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. His painting of Carnegie Hall was even the first American poster hung in China.
Kubik’s NYMEX Trading Floor
Though he was never known for having an interest in making money, Kubik also did some commercial work. His work was featured on the covers of magazines such as M.D. Magazine, Reader’s Digest, and Worth Avenue Magazine. He even produced a book called “CityScapes” for the Grumbacher Company.
A humble man, Kubik often allowed passerbyers to add the “ultimate local touch” when he was painting his cityscapes by having them make a few strokes with his brush.
““He loved to paint, to be with people, and he had no interest whatsoever in the commercial end of his art.””
In 2004, Kubik's life took an unfortunate turn. He had a stroke and was bedridden. Kamil Kubik died on August 3rd, 2011 in Union City, New Jersey, USA. His art is still collected and admired by Kings, Princes, and Presidents.
Written by: Kelsey McDade
Hudson Reporter, ‘Lasting Impressions’, Hudson Reporter Archive, Hudson Reporter, 2012, https://archive.hudsonreporter.com/2012/05/06/lasting-impressions/, (Accessed on May 24, 2022).