Until now, Best of at HIDDEN has been closely tied to Prague. This year, I decided to step outside that orbit and start looking elsewhere. My first stop was Brno, and more specifically the Faculty of Fine Arts at Brno University of Technology.

HIDDEN Gallery presents the first edition of our new editorial series Artist in Focus, created to introduce strong, emerging voices in contemporary painting. We begin with the work of Klára Hartlová, whose practice bridges psychology, memory, theatrical scenography and the uncanny. Selected works are currently on view in collaboration with our long-term partner Hellsmoke BBQ, a friendly venue that allows us to present new art outside the traditional white-cube format.

This time we visited the studio of Karolína Netolická at Gabriel Loci in Prague, a former monastery complex in Smíchov that now serves as a cultural venue. In Karolína’s studio, we discussed her current body of work, her approach to materiality, the role of repetition and doubling in her practice, and the broader themes that shape her visual language.

A personal, subjective selection of the most powerful diploma projects from AVU Prague’s 2025 graduates. From time machines to tactile silence — these works don’t just communicate, they resonate.

Filip Kartousek visits the group exhibition Garden of Remembrance in Chrudim, featuring Liza Libenko, Lucie Hošková, and Jan Štulíř — three artists who had their first solo shows at HIDDEN Gallery. Later, he stops by Anna Krištofíková’s studio to follow up on the progress of her upcoming solo exhibition.

A visit to Anna Krištofíková’s garden studio, where we photographed new paintings for her June show and wrote the first draft of the exhibition text.

Every year, we visit AVU to witness what has quietly emerged. These are not graduation shows—they’re individual culminations. This is what felt most vital in summer 2025.

A behind-the-scenes look at AVU finals, Roman Košťál’s gallery tour, plans for a group show, and the launch of Artist’s Table at Hell’s Smoke BBQ.

In this episode, I visit Anna Krištofíková and Roman Košťál, talk about our upcoming presentation at Sofia Art Fair, and share some thoughts on what makes working with students so rewarding – and sometimes frustrating.

In this first episode of Gallery Life, I take you with me through a packed day in Prague — from revisiting the now-empty Hidden Republica to filming with three amazing artists for the Sofia Art Fair.