Abstract art pioneers and Czech artistry highlight Kunsthalle's 2025 exhibitions

A New York taxi filled with trees. Abstract paintings recalling a Norwegian landscape. Perception-altering Slovak sculpture. Kunsthalle Praha has announced its 2025 lineup--a dazzling mix of international and Czech artistry connecting the local and international art scenes.

Highlights of the new season include a monumental retrospective of abstract art trailblazers Anna-Eva Bergman and Hans Hartung (among Europe’s most highly anticipated exhibits this year) and cutting-edge works by emerging Czech designers and artists. The museum will also celebrate its third anniversary in February.

“In 2025, our curatorial focus will also be on connecting the Czech and international art scenes and audiences. Each of our exhibitions is created exclusively for Kunsthalle Prague, and together, they represent a wide range of approaches and media,” says chief curator Christelle Havranek.

The year begins with the continuation of Chiharu Shiota: Restless Soul, a blockbuster exhibition featuring large-scale installations by the acclaimed Japanese artist. Open until April 28, 2025, the exhibit has already drawn tens of thousands of visitors, solidifying its status as a fan favorite.

To celebrate Kunsthalle’s third anniversary in February, the institution will host a week-long program of events, including pay-what-you-wish admission and a knitting workshop led by director Ivana Goossen, inspired by Shiota’s work.

The centerpiece of the 2025 program is Anna-Eva Bergman & Hans Hartung: And We’ll Never Be Parted, the first joint retrospective of this pioneering abstract art duo.

The exhibition delves into the decades-long relationship of Norwegian abstract expressionist Anna-Eva Bergman (1909–1987) and German-French painter Hans Hartung (1904–1989), a key figure in the Art Informel movement. The duo met in 1920s Paris, separated in 1937, and reunited in 1952, their lives intersecting through war and artistic evolution. Despite shared inspirations, their styles remained distinct, shaping their singular careers.

Featuring rarely seen works and archival materials, the exhibition delves into their shared creative journey and connections to music, architecture, and nature. Curated in collaboration with Fondation Hartung-Bergman, Christie’s hailed the exhibit as one of Europe’s must-see shows of the year. It runs from June 6–Oct. 13.

Debuting in February, Space of Desire is a surreal exploration of human-object relationships by Czech Grand Design finalists, curated by Iva Polanecká and the artist duo SHOTBY.US. April brings Call of the Forest by Brooklyn-based Czech artists Kristyna and Marek Milde explores humanity’s connection to nature through innovative works like a tree-filled taxi and a video installation featuring tattooed trees.

Autumn features a solo exhibition by internationally acclaimed conceptual artist Roman Ondak, marking his first major presentation in Czechia and Slovakia. Known for transforming everyday objects and moments, Ondak’s work merges personal history with the region’s collective past.

Beyond exhibitions, Kunsthalle Praha offers a diverse year of public programming. Highlights include the spring semester of TransformArt, which focuses on contemporary art’s response to global challenges, and the return of the Ambient READ series, which combines literature and ambient music in a Japanese garden-inspired setting. New initiatives for children and workshops on AI are also planned.

Since its opening three years ago, Kunsthalle Praha has become one of the Czech capital’s most important spaces for contemporary art. The institution welcomed over 105,000 visitors in 2024 and hopes to draw even more art enthusiasts in 2025 with its ambitious lineup of exhibitions, cultural events, and community initiatives.

“I am glad that in three years, the Kunsthalle has become an open and lively space for the general public and offers a rich program that appeals to all generations," said Goossen.