Jiří David
Jiří David (1956), who has held an outstanding place in the Czech fine arts scene since the mid-eighties, has always been viewed as a figure emblematic of Czech postmodernism. He has played an important role in photography, painting, objects and installations. The topicality of his work, as well as the totally personal engagement and exposure of an artist's individual experience can stand as the opposite of the nature of postmodernism in the Czech context.
In Prague, where Jiri David lives and works, he is already widely known. Zare (The Glow), 2000, the glowing neon crown of thorns he constructed above the roof of the classical exhibition and concert hall Rudolfinum, and Heart on the Castle, 2002, a gigantic red neon heart above Prague Castle, the center of power of the Czech Republic, have both left a lasting impression. He also continually attracts notice with his critiques of Czech cultural politics, published in the local press, decrying the country's provincialism and dilettantism, which he feels have forced its artists into harmful isolation.
His painting oscillates between sometimes fragile and subtle, sometimes straightforward and blunt; he also does photography and conceptual work. The various forms of David's engagement that helped break certain taboos surrounding the social status of the artist and his or her presence in the social space started to overlap with his art. Each new project and appearance stamps out his position as spokesman and commentator for the Czech contemporary art world.