Thistle Painting

acrylic on canvas This painting was part of the abstract half (internal landscapes) of The Paradigm exhibition organised in the Czech Republic. This rare and culturally unique exhibition was compiled of artworks reflecting the eges of lifestyle and personal identity. It was set in Usti-nad-Labem, the county town of northern region of the Czech Republic, which is a conflicted area. There's a rich natural heritage that have been threatened by heavy industrialisation and people's lives there where strongly suppressed by communist regime for decades. The climate of forcibly unified society damaged a sense of uniqueness and ability to openly express creativity, philosophical views or any kind of unconventionally enriching attitudes to life. The mentality of "shut-up-and-go-with-the-flow", which was how generations and generations where brought up in the belief to protect children from potential danger of not fitting in, is deeply grown into the roots of the modern Czech cultural heritage. Even though there's no doubt the Czechs have gained the freedom of speech and democracy after all, the mental roots of generations before are still paralysing the courage to put it fully into practice. It's gonna take another generations to heal these wounds. The Paradigm exhibition was intended to provoke the courage, the ability to speak up and face the demons, especially in the region where the population is continuously mentally and culturally malnourished. The opening felt very liberating and was met with a great excitement.