6 major art exhibits we can't wait to see this month in Prague

The National Gallery’s École de Paris exhibit celebrates Czech artists who were part of Paris’ interwar art scene, concentrated mainly in Montmartre and Montparnasse. The exhibit showcases Paris’ avant-garde with a distinct Czech lens, capturing the cultural exchanges that defined the era and revealing how Czech artists contributed to one of art history’s most influential periods. 

Czech artists Georges Kars, Othon Coubine, and François Maurice Eberl, who thrived in the interwar Parisian art scene, will be on display alongside works from Alain Diviš, Edita Hiršová, and icons of the day like Modigliani and Soutine. Coubine’s landscapes from the south of France and a set of works acquired by Gertrude Stein's brother, Leo, will be shown to the public for the first time.

École de Paris runs at Waldstein Riding School from Nov. 7 through March 2. Details here.

The Unsettled Soul marks the first solo exhibition in the Czech Republic of Chiharu Shiota, a renowned contemporary Japanese artist known for her striking installations. Through intricate threadwork and various objects, Shiota explores themes of life, death, and relationships, engaging with concepts of existence and absence. Born in Osaka in 1972 and based in Berlin, her global exhibitions include prestigious venues like the Hammer Museum and Mori Art Museum and significant participation in events like the Venice Biennale and Sydney Biennale.

The Unsettled Soul runs at Kunsthalle Praha from Nov. 28 to April 28. Details here.

The legacy of photographer Helena Wilsonová (1937–2019) is marked by an empathetic lens capturing diverse, often marginalized environments across continents, including Czechia’s underground art scene during normalization, Native American life in Ontario, and Havana’s slums.

Born into a family of photographers, Wilsonová trained at the State School of Graphics and documented artists of the Křižovnické school. After joining her Canadian husband abroad in 1977, she continued photographing socially significant subjects. This exhibition reflects her lifelong commitment to dignified visual storytelling.

Helena Wilsonová: Photography is on at Prague City Gallery from Nov. 12 to Feb. 23 Details here.

The Kampa Museum’s exhibition, which spans three floors, showcases the history of Czechoslovak graphic design, highlighting works where aesthetic quality, craftsmanship, and functionality converge. Visitors will encounter several hundred pieces, including iconic posters, books, magazines, logotypes, and state symbols, reflecting the evolution of design from the early 20th century to today.

The exhibition is part of the multifaceted project Identity—The Story of Czech Graphic Design, which includes a TV series, a film, and a catalog that serves as a graphic design monograph, providing cultural and historical context for the works displayed.

Identita: The Story of Czech Graphic Design runs at Museum Kampa through Dec. 10. Details here.

The Consolation of Objects exhibition offers a first look into Turkish Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk’s visual and conceptual work, highlighting his lifelong exploration of the connections between literature and visual arts.

Anchored by The Museum of Innocence, it showcases Pamuk’s nostalgic reflections on Istanbul’s cultural history from Ottoman to modern times. Featuring new works inspired by European masters, the exhibition includes Ali Kazma’s video, A House of Ink, delving into Pamuk’s creative world.

The Consolidation of Objects is at DOX from Nov. 21-April 6. Details here.

This exhibition at the Prague Museum of Decorative Arts showcases Paolo Venini’s work and his Murano workshop from 1934 to 1959, drawing from extensive research initially presented in Venice. Featuring 100 objects on loan from private collections, the show highlights Venini’s pivotal role in 20th-century glass art and his collaborations with renowned designers like Tobia Scarpa and Gio Ponti. Organized in partnership with Le Stanze del Vetro, the exhibition aims to deepen the Czech public’s understanding of contemporary glass production and design.

Paolo Venini and his Workshop: Venetian Glass 1934–1959 at the Museum of Decorative Arts from Nov. 14 through March 2. Details here.