While often described as solitary and reserved, the photographer Josef Sudek was once a familiar figure to many on the streets of Prague. Born in 1896 in Kolín, a town east of the capital on the Elbe River, he made the city his home in the early 1900s. It became a central subject of his work, throughout and despite years of political upheaval, until his death in 1976. He left behind an otherworldly, serene, and singular vision of this turbulent era.
A skilled printer, devoted to the minutiae of the process, his mastery of the silver gelatin print is evident in the harmony between detail and obscurity which has become one of the most influential elements of his photography. Condensation on a window pane, mist in a deserted forest, or industrial fog in city streets serve to draw focus to the central features of an image, while creating a distinctive atmosphere and mood.
Culture Ireland and The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon present Isabel Nolan’s commission for the Irish Pavilion at the 61st International Art Exhibition — La Biennale di Venezia running until Sunday 22 November 2026.
Acknowledging the crucial role artists play in influencing and shaping other artistic practices, The Artist’s Eye series asks those exhibiting in Gallery 1 to invite an artist of influence to present work in Gallery 2. In this instalment, Edith Karlson has invited artist Olivia Normile.
This winter, The Douglas Hyde is delighted to present Well, well, well, the first solo exhibition in Ireland by Edith Karlson. Her practice has established her as one of the most compelling sculptural voices in Europe today, following her acclaimed presentation representing Estonia at the 60th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia in […]
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