Stanislav Diviš

Stanislav Diviš (*1953) is one of the most essential figures in contemporary Czech painting and a living legend who has been shaping the direction of the local scene since the mid-1980s. As a key organizer of the independent Konfrontace exhibitions and a founding member of the Tvrdohlaví (Stubborn) group, he fundamentally influenced the emergence of postmodernism in Czech painting. Through his activities, he connected the unofficial scene of the time and championed free artistic expression regardless of the political constraints of the era.

His visual work is closely linked to musical thinking. In 1982, he founded the rock band Krásné nové stroje (Beautiful New Machines), in which he remains the leader and lead singer to this day. This specific sense of rhythm, system, and order is naturally reflected in his paintings. He also passed on his experience and confident perspective on painting as the head of a studio at the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague (UMPRUM) between 2003 and 2010.

In his paintings, he often utilizes ordinary motifs—ranging from fabric swatches, musical notes, and diary sketches to children's drawings—transforming them into his own world of colors and symbols. He regularly exhibits at major showcases of Czech art both at home and abroad. Among his most significant presentations are extensive exhibitions at the National Gallery in Prague, the GASK Gallery in Kutná Hora, the Wannieck Gallery in Brno, and the Václav Špála Gallery.