Here and Now Exhibition: Contemporary Czech Comics

The Czech Centres have long been dedicated to showcasing and popularising contemporary Czech comics, as well as connecting Czech professionals with international partners. Alongside specific exhibitions dedicated to the network, there are sub-projects and activities in individual territories, including supporting the translation of selected comic works.

The Here and Now Exhibition showcases ten prominent figures in contemporary Czech comics and offers a comprehensive overview of the current state of the Czech comics scene, including its themes and expressive diversity. Curated by Pavel Kořínek (Institute of Czech Literature, Czech Academy of Comics) and Tomáš Prokůpek (Moravian Museum in Brno), it features authors from different generations who have already achieved international acclaim, and who are frequently showcased in exhibitions, workshops as well as in translation.

In addition to biographical information, the textual section of the exhibition provides a broader context, illustrating the diversity of the Czech comics scene. The pictorial section highlights the key works of individual authors through specific examples from their books or other works. The project, loosely related to the previous modular exhibition Meanwhile, Elsewhere: The Century of Czech Comics, is accompanied by a series of comic books and a brochure.

“Never before have Czech comics developed so dynamically and for so long without undue interference from outside. As a result, over the past two decades the local scene has witnessed three waves of artists who have had the opportunity to freely create and publish. Their situation has been somewhat restricted by the size of the Czech market and the fact that there had been such a long interruption in the local traditions; nevertheless, thanks to them the Czech comics is more diverse than ever and is celebrating its first international success.”