Art is ever-changing. The art world has always been a fluid industry, being directed and redirected by talented individuals through the times. Czechia nationals have been making a lasting impact on the arts since the formation of Czechoslovakia. From photography to choreography, these artists have been essential to the progress of the art industry. Who are these individuals?

*Source: Letterboxd - The Hand by Jiri Trnka*

Jiri Trnka is a prime example. Born in 1912, Trnka was one of the first Czechoslovak artists to make a lasting impact on the art world. Called ‘Walt Disney of the East’, his approach to animation stemmed from the puppet traditions born in Czechoslovakia. Different from his predecessors, Trnka conveyed drama and emotion through the body language of his puppets, lighting change, and camera motion.

Unlike Disney, Trnka’s films were aimed at an adult audience. Towards the end of his life, the satire of his films was directed at the oppressive nature of the ruling communist party. His film “The Hand'', a portrayal of life under communist rule, made enough noise that it was first banned, then later blacklisted by the communist party. By the end, all copies of the film were confiscated by the secret police and it was not shown again in Czechoslovakia for over 20 years. Trnka’s influence is still felt today. He and several other artists founded a studio in 1946, later renamed Studio Jiriho Trnky, which is producing animation works to this day.

Anna Daucikova, a visual artist and activist, was born in 1950. Her art is primarily focused on the body and bodily action as an expression of the mental body and the in-betweenness of her own identity. She uses an abstract, conceptual approach highlighting the internal manifestation of queer self-understandings. Daucikova studied a number of different forms of artistic expression, from painting and photography to glassblowing and performance art.

After graduating from the Academy of Fine Arts in Bratislava in 1978, Daucikova moved to Russia soon after. Spending over a decade in Moscow, her experiences there with the Soviet Artists’ Union and her introduction to feminism had a significant influence on her art. After returning to Bratislava, Daucikova’s focus shifted to activism for LGBT rights, where she was a co-founder of several activist non-Governmental women’s organizations. After winning the Schering Stiftans Art Award 2018, Daucikova turned to teaching, returning to be a professor at her alma mater.

Born in 1952, Libuse Jarcovjakova is a photographer known for her capture of the historical perspective of communist Czechoslovakia through authentic moments. Much of her work is focused on the life and isolation of “undesirables” during the regime. Denied University entry several times herself for coming from a “politically undesirable” family, she began working at Svoboda Printing House. Her time at the factory launched her career, forming her candid expression of the grit and the durability of humanity. Eventually accepted at Prague Film Academy, Jarcovjakova expanded her subject matter, photographing the minorities of Prague such as Roma families, Vietnamese workers, and later the homosexual community.

Yemi AD is an up-and-coming Czech Choreographer. Starting in LA at the age of 18, Yemi began as just another dancer. He has since grown to be a director and producer, working with renowned artists such as Kanye to create concerts and tours. His success led him to found JAD Productions, allowing him to work with clients such as Adidas and Avon, while also working on his own projects (Teniskology, Yinspirology). His company has received many achievements in the last 10 years, including being awarded Best Event Agency in Czech 2014-16 and Europe's Best Event Award in 2015-16 and 2018. Considered an expert in his field, Yemi was recently a judge on “The World's Best”. An ambassador of UN Sustainable Development Goals for Czech, Yemi has a devotion to activism and also founded Moonshot Platform, a nonprofit.

These are merely a few examples of the many Czech artists that have made an impact in the last century. We, and I’m sure all of you, are very excited to see what changes future generations will bring.

Written by Kelsey McDade

Bolton, Jonathan & Tuckerova, Veronika, ‘Jiri Trnka, Puppet Master’, Harvard Film Archive, 2018, Jiri Trnka, Puppet Master - Harvard Film Archive, (Accessed August 11, 2022).

Herraez, Beatriz, ‘Anna Daucikova. Not Belonging to and in Solidarity With’, Artium Museoa, 2022, https://artium.eus/en/exhibitions/item/61335-anna-daucikova, (Accessed July 17, 2022).

O’Neill, Alistair, ‘The Evocative Years’, ApertureArchive, 2020, https://issues.aperture.org/article/2020/2/2/the-evocative-years, (Accessed July 17, 2022).

Aspen Institute Editors, The, ‘Yemi A.D.’, The Aspen Institute Central Europe, 2019, https://www.aspeninstitutece.org/people-profile/yemi-ad/, (Accessed July 15, 2022).