Join us for the opening of a new exhibition at the Czech Center New York! Drawn from the Unseen features New York-based, Czech-born multimedia artist Petra (Gupta) Valentova alongside guest artist František Matoušek (Francis de Nim). Through a diverse range of media—including sculpture, installations, neon, and embroidery—Valentova explores themes of identity, culture, and memory.
Guided Tours
Thursday, 10. 17. Tours from 5 PM and from 6 PM with the artist. no registration required
Sunday, 10. 20. Tours with a Workshop with the artist from 2 PM to 4 PM as part of Open House New York. no registration required
Wednesday, 10. 23. Tours from 5 PM and from 6 PM with the artist. no registration required
Wednesday, 10. 30. Closing Reception and Artist Talk starting at 6:30 PM with the artist. free registration via Eventbrite
Browse photos from our opening reception, which took place on Thursday, September 12th.
Drawn from the Unseen features a unique collection of Valentova’s works on textile and paper, incorporating plant prints, natural dyes, embroidery, drawing, and modrotisk. The blueprinting process, traditionally used in fabric and home textiles, is reimagined through innovative collaborations, particularly with Czech artist František Matoušek also known as Francis de Nim. Together, they explore the potential of blueprinting beyond its conventional applications, creating abstracted resist prints on denim, that document the interplay of time, space, and craftsmanship. These works offer a fresh perspective on traditional methods, blending historical significance with contemporary artistic expression.
The exhibition will also feature some of Valentova’s contemporary patterns created specifically for Strážnický modrotisk, and Modrotisk Danzinger, the remaining blueprinting workshops still operating in the Czech Republic. She is also closely collaborating with the last two block makers, Mr. Bartoš and Mr. Plucha, creating new patterns that contribute to the innovation of the craft.
Modrotisk (also called Blaudruck, Kékfestés, or Modrotlač) translates directly as blueprint or blue-dyeing. This technique involves printing a dye-resistant paste onto fabric before dyeing it with indigo. After immersion in the indigo vat, the areas covered by the paste remain white or undyed. In 2018, UNESCO recognized this craft as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, following a joint request by Austria, Czechia, Germany, Hungary, and Slovakia. The craft is still practiced today in family-owned workshops, using hand-crafted blocks and traditional methods passed down through generations.
Her recent work involves collaborations with craftspeople in India and artisans in the Czech Republic, where she has integrated blueprinting and hand-printed textiles into her contemporary art practice. Valentova started working with block-printed textiles during multiple artist residencies at ArtInn Jaipur in the Indian state of Rajasthan, where her husband’s family is based. This work led to her PhD research, focusing on collaborative design and the innovation of the block printing craft.
Valentova’s innovative approach to modrotisk/blueprint and her regular collaborations with artists, performers, and designers have culminated in her participation in conferences and exhibitions, such as Móda v modré: Tradice a současnost indiga v japonském a českém textilu at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague in 2020, and Modrá: Modrá barva v tradiční kultuře a v současném designu at the Museum of Southeastern Moravia in Zlín from 2023 to 2024, among others.
Petra (Gupta) Valentova is widely recognized as both a promoter and innovator of modrotisk. Her dedication to advancing this traditional technique and her support for Czech culture and design in both the Czech Republic and the USA highlight her commitment to bridging cultural heritage with contemporary artistic practices.
Click here to read our interview with Petra (Gupta) Valentova from 2020
Petra (Gupta) Valentova, PhD (b. 1974) is a Czech-born, New York-based artist whose work explores nature, identity, and memory through various media, including hand-printed textiles. Her art bridges traditional and contemporary practices, advocating for ethical engagement and preserving cultural heritage.
Originally trained as a sculpture restorer and sculptor, Valentova transitioned to multimedia conceptual work, incorporating traditional crafts from India, her husband's homeland. Her projects with artisans in the Czech Republic and India focus on craft innovation, cultural rights, and empowering women handworkers.
Inspired by the natural environment of the Hudson River Valley, where she spends much of her time, Valentova’s work also reflects her collaboration with Czech artist František Matoušek (Francis de Nim). Together, they create innovative works that blend traditional and contemporary techniques on denim.
Her art is included in public and private collections worldwide, including the Czech National Gallery in Prague. In 2023, she was honored with the Gold Crystal Heart award from the Czech Center New York for promoting Czech culture. She has received multiple accolades, including the 2003–2004 Fulbright Commission Stipend for Postgraduate Studies, the 2012 Peer Leadership Circle Award for Queens Visual Artists, and a grant from the New York State Council on the Arts Decentralization Program.
Valentova holds a PhD from the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design (UMPRUM) in Prague, an MFA from Hunter College, CUNY, New York, and an MFA from the Academy of Fine Arts (AVU) in Prague.
Francis de Nim (František Matoušek) is a contemporary artist based in Prague and a founding member of the Luxsus art group. Known for his unique use of denim as a medium, he crafts fragile, ripped fabrics that resemble "fossils" in textile memory, embodying his introspective approach. He regularly exhibits in the Czech Republic and frequently collaborates with other artists and designers, including Petra (Gupta) Valentova, on block-printed and painted denim artworks.
