Jaroslava Bičovská, Oasis, Brandýs nad Labem castle, 2025

Jaroslava Bičovská, a native of Brandýs nad Labem, finds inspiration in the landscape. Whether in places she knows intimately or in those she is only just beginning to discover with curiosity and soon makes her own with ease as she travels the world. In her drawings and paintings, she captures the tranquil waters of the Elbe and the quiet corners of the château park in Brandýs, as well as turbulent seas and lush, untamed vegetation encountered on journeys through exotic lands.

The garden in front of the house where Jaroslava Bičovská lives is a space for her most intimate encounter with nature and with herself—a sanctuary where time slows down and where the subtle transformations of light, shadow and colour can be perceived. Her paintings reflect the intimacy and fragility of everyday life, while human presence is suggested only through an empty chair, a sun lounger or a table awaiting its guests. The exhibition is complemented by a series of black-and-white drawings that capture subtle details and the quiet atmosphere of the garden with the artist’s characteristic delicacy.

The exhibition Oasis presents a carefully curated cross-section of works from recent years, during which Jaroslava Bičovská’s artistic expression has undergone significant changes. Her canvases glow with a richer palette of colours, yet retain their characteristic expressive lightness and airiness. In recent years, the artist has enjoyed combining oil painting with acrylic, discovering a new rhythm and pulsating energy in the interplay of these techniques. Her works thus acquire a vibrant pulse, bringing to the fore the painter’s distinctive style, imbued with sensitivity, subtle harmony and undiminished vitality.

The exhibition was organised to mark a significant milestone in the artist’s life—her eightieth birthday—as a tribute to her lifelong artistic practice and her deep connection to the place she calls home. The project was created in collaboration with Galerie Gema, the Town of Brandýs nad Labem–Stará Boleslav, and the Association of Natives and Friends of Brandýs nad Labem–Stará Boleslav. It forms part of the Year of Elbe Region Painters series.

Tereza Petrželková