Václav Chad Gallery
Jiří John – Connected by the Way

In 2025, the Václav Chad Gallery, in cooperation with the Adriena Šimotová and Jiří John Foundation, prepared an exhibition of one of the most prominent Czech artists of the second half of the 20th century. Jiří John (1923–1972) consistently returned to landscape motifs in his work. Nature in his works is not just a background, but a living organism – the environment in which the cycle of the creation of azanik takes place.

The exhibited selection offered a cross-section of his work – from early drawings of amulets, through graphic work based on deep observation, to paintings revealing the relationship of man to the natural world as a place of miracle, order and transience. It was a unique opportunity to see a monothematically oriented collection of works on the theme of the horizon in the painting of Jiří John and his early work, which had not yet been presented to such an extent, moreover set in the broader context of his lifelong work, which allowed a deeper understanding of his artistic development and changes in visual language.

Jiří John’s significant legacy was reflected in the work of artists who studied drawing and graphics with him at the Academy of Fine Arts. Their works formed the second part of the exhibition – the ones presented were Marie Blabolilová, Anežka Kovalová, Miroslav Koval, Ivan Ouhel, Michal Ranný, Svatopluk Slovenčík and Petr Šmaha.

A catalogue Jiří John – Cestou spojeni (Connected by the Path) was published for the exhibition.