People
It's an opportunity to bring art to people, says a graduate of FFA BUT, whose work comes to life in ČT art jingles
Two graduates of the Faculty of Fine Arts at Brno University of Technology have had the opportunity to appear on television screens. Both artists succeeded in the Artelier competition, announced last autumn by Czech Television, and their works are now featured in the jingles between programs on the ČT art channel. One of the winners, Dominika Dobiášová, shares what such an opportunity brings to young creators.
Painter Dominika Dobiášová learned about the Artelier competition through the Hunt Kastner Gallery, which has represented her since September 2024. Her works are characterized by figures and their mutual relationships. However, she often works with historicity and religious motifs in her paintings, which was also reflected in her winning work for Czech Television. “It features three characters in a historical landscape – a witch falling into an abyss, confused about her own identity; a hunter who also questions his identity; and a gatherer who symbolizes those who often play only a supporting role in stories,” she describes. She found inspiration in the feminist writings of Silvia Federici and Ursula K. Le Guin. “I was drawn to the topics they address and wanted to respond to them – especially the theme of female identity connected to systemic exploitation and control of women,” she adds, explaining that through her paintings, she tries to reach places that are normally inaccessible.
Dobiášová perceives the opportunity to bring art closer to the general public through television broadcasting very positively. “I’m glad that the works reach people who don’t usually go to galleries. It’s a different and definitely less intense experience, though,” she reflects. She appreciates that this concept came from ČT art, a channel closely connected to art, fulfilling its mission.
While this project probably won’t bring the artist major new creative opportunities, it was still an interesting experience. Since the original artwork is located in Germany, a reproduction had to be created for the final television presentation. The subsequent work in the studio proved that the extra effort was definitely worth it. “In the studio, they filmed the piece, used different lighting, added effects. It was clear that it was also a special project for Czech Television, involving many people,” the painter emphasizes. She was able to influence the filming process but quickly agreed with the director on the concept, so no major changes were needed. Gradually, she is also hearing that people are starting to notice the artworks and their creative presentation on TV. “I see it as an opportunity to bring art to people who aren’t used to visiting galleries or being in direct contact with art. And I’m glad the works are seen in a different context as well,” says Dobiášová.
From a Brno Studio to Paris
Dominika Dobiášová began her art studies at the Faculty of Arts in Ostrava, where she earned her bachelor’s degree. She continued with a master’s degree at the Faculty of Fine Arts at Brno University of Technology. “I think it was an important stage for me. I did an internship at the Performance Studio led by Julie Béna and Jakub Jansa, who openly shared topics related to artistic practice both within and outside the gallery world, bringing them closer to students, which was great. Also, teachers like Milan Houser, Vasil Artamonov, and Marie Štindlová, with whom I studied and consulted, were very helpful and open to sharing their experiences. They played an important role in my growth,” she recalls.
During her studies, she tried a range of artistic media but was most drawn to painting and acrylics, which she still works with today. She prefers medium-sized formats, where she can balance detail and texture. In addition to her favorite technique, she needs calm, finished obligations, and her special coffee to create. Dobiášová works best in her studio, which, while not directly inspiring, as she describes it as a rather sterile environment, is a key space for her creative process. “I like it when there aren’t too many distractions around me,” she explains.
To work effectively, she needs to feel that she knows what she’s doing. However, that feeling doesn’t always come immediately. Sometimes she has a clear plan; other times, she explores the image as she paints. According to Dobiášová, ideas come best when she’s around people and having experiences. “When I get an idea, I have to let it sit in my head for a while,” she says, adding that she then quickly sketches the motif and takes photos. “I use myself and my surroundings as references. It’s the best way to create different poses and think through the environment,” she describes. After detailed preparation, she refines the composition, plans the format and color scheme. The final piece usually takes her about a month and a half to complete.
The young painter admits that she sometimes struggles with creative blocks. Paradoxically, the only cure for a crisis is painting itself. “When I’m not working, I get nervous,” she laughs. “They’re strange, irrational problems – like when I suddenly can’t stand a certain color. And sometimes I love all the colors, but then I don’t want to use them because I work with them all the time,” she reflects, adding that it helps her most to remember that not everything can turn out exactly as she envisions.
The FFA graduate doesn’t exhibit only in the Czech Republic, she has already showcased her work in Vienna, Milan, Warsaw, and Munich. Currently, her next stop is an Art Fair in Paris. “I think that we have many more opportunities than artists before us did. The market is opening up a lot, and art is becoming more accessible,” she says, adding that participating in projects like Artelier can help artists gain visibility, and she would definitely recommend it to her peers. One of Dominika Dobiášová’s biggest wishes is to travel more. “I haven’t seen much yet, and I’d love to see more works by great painters in museums and galleries around the world. And not just those, of course,” she concludes.
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