ŠTĚDRÝ DIVIŠ

Beseder Gallery launches its autumn exhibition season with two standout artists: Stanislav Diviš and Karel Štědrý. Though separated by a generation, the pair share a mentor-mentee bond—and far from being a battle of styles, their joint show in the 1 + 1 series reveals a deep artistic kinship anchored in geometry.

Stanislav Diviš (b. 1953) studied at the Academy of Fine Arts (AVU) in Prague during the 1980s. Together with Jiří David and fellow students, he helped organise Konfrontace (Confrontations)—a series of semi-underground art events that laid the groundwork for the influential group Tvrdohlaví (The Stubborn Ones) in 1987. Most members, Diviš included, went on to define Czech postmodernism. Between 2003 and 2010, Diviš led the painting studio at the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague (UMPRUM).

Diviš’s work borders on abstraction, yet never loses touch with physical reality, offering symbolic cues for the viewer to interpret. Characterised by bold colour palettes, his oeuvre unfolds in extensive series such as Spartakiáda (1990), Remnants (1995), and Mushrooms (1995). He frequently revisits favourite themes, constantly recycling and reinterpreting them while incorporating fresh source material. Beyond the studio, Diviš is also active in music as the frontman for the band Krásné nové stroje.

Karel Štědrý studied under Diviš at UMPRUM between 2003 and 2010. In 2006, he co-founded the OBR. group alongside David Hanvald, Josef Achrer, and Martin Krajc, and launched his debut solo exhibition, marking two decades of active exhibiting. Like Diviš, Štědrý employs geometry, but brings a distinctly playful, intuitive, and joyous energy to his compositions—striking a harmonious balance between emotion and intellect.

Drawing heavily on street art and digital painting, Štědrý swaps traditional sketchbooks for digital software. A key childhood inspiration is the classic Czech Merkur construction set, echoed in his vibrant palette, bold shapes, and endless combinatorial flair. His mixed-media approach blends acrylics, pastels, spray paint, and custom handmade charcoal to create a textured, collage-like quality. Beyond the canvas, Štědrý works in sculpture and public installations. He is currently completing an artist residency in Bamberg, Bavaria.