Pavel Roučka, Jakub Flejšar – Figure and Ground

This exceptional joint exhibition brought together two well-known contemporary Czech artists: painter Pavel Roučka and sculptor Jakub Flejšar.

Both artists found inspiration for their work and for this exhibition in a quote by Samuel Beckett: “What is life? Life is figure and ground.” At Artium, visitors encountered Pavel’s paintings, shaped by his fascination with the figure—above all, the human form. Sometimes clearly defined, other times suggested through motion or gesture, the human presence is central to his work. His paintings are deeply contemporary, yet carry the emotional weight and timeless quality of classical art—charged with implied but palpable drama and tension. His masterful brushwork expresses themes of today, while leaving ample space for the viewer’s imagination. As such, his works can be perceived on multiple levels—as images, as narratives, and as visual compositions.

Jakub, whose early career was rooted in land art, draws much of his inspiration from nature. Working primarily with wood and metal, his sculptures reveal a creative evolution towards abstract form. Frequently composed of partial figures—a head, a torso—his work evokes the human form through suggestion rather than representation. Jakub’s unique sense of scale and his ability to create works of subtle monumentality have placed his sculptures in parks, squares, and terraces. Here at Bořislavka, his Red Seated Figure—a sculpture with a hint of Cubism—sits prominently on the terrace. His use of materials and commitment to public space reflect a deep engagement with questions of human existence and the role of the individual in time and space.

Curator of the exhibition: Ing. Arch. Otto Dvořák