The Birth of the Moth by Peter Nikl

Petr Nikl, Birth of the Moth, 1987, part of the exhibition Signal IV: The Eighties

Petr Nikl (*1960) is one of the most distinctive Czech artists of our time, whose work freely crosses the boundaries between genres and media. As a painter, graphic artist, performer, musician and author of interactive installations, he is able to combine traditional techniques with innovative forms of expression. After studying at the Secondary School of Arts and Crafts in Uherské Hradiště and the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague, where he was influenced by painter and sculptor Arnošt Paderlík and painter Jiří Ptáček, the head of Nikl's studio, he entered the art scene through the Confrontation exhibitions, where, among other things, he presented his first theatrical production with puppets. In 1985, with friends whose artistic experiments grew into theatrical performances, he founded the Mehedaha puppet company, performing at apartment parties and openings. In the 1990s he performed a series of poetic-performance shows in California. From the beginning he used sound in his performances - various curious devices or his voice and singing. Later he became a member of the legendary group Tvrdohlaví, which significantly shaped the Czech art scene of the 1980s and 1990s. Former members are still among the most distinctive representatives of the Czech art scene today (Jiří David, Čestmír Suška, František Skála, Michal Gabriel, Zdeněk Lhotský, Stanislav Diviš, Stefan Milkov, Jaroslav Róna, Václav Marhoul). His approach to art, based on playfulness, poetics and philosophical introspection, won him recognition, which was confirmed in 1995 by his being awarded the Jindřich Chalupecký Prize.

The 1987 work The Birth of the Moth is an exceptional example of Nikl's early work. Here his interest in surrealist symbolism, introspective themes and figurative poetry is fully manifested. The painting depicts the transformation and cycle of life, with the moth as the central symbol of this transformation. This nocturnal creature, often associated with an attraction to light, here acts as a metaphor for the search for meaning, personal growth and fragility. The central figure of the painting, ethereal and minimalist, acts as a mediator between the physical and spiritual worlds. Her calm position and expression evoke a state between consciousness and unconsciousness, between dream and wakefulness.

The colour palette of the work, composed of muted shades of red, green and grey, creates a harmonious atmosphere linking nature, tranquillity and the spiritual dimension. The colours are also a continuation of works typical of the 1950s. The composition of the painting combines the geometric shapes of the background, which evoke human order, with the organic lines of the body and the moth, which represent natural elements. The symbolism of the work refers to the transience and mystery of life, while also depicting a certain contradiction between logic and mysticism. Nikl has returned to the motif of moths throughout his artistic career, as evidenced by his exhibition Moths (paintings from 2023 and 2024) at the František Drtikol Gallery in Příbram. Here he presented paintings created by ink, ink and coffee on rice paper, which resemble Rorschach tests or the forms of giant insects.

The work The Birth of the Moth is thus not only a key point in Nikl's early work, but also evidence of his lifelong preoccupation with this motif, which remains a recurring theme in his artistic reflection. This work combines visual poetry with deep philosophical questions, creating an intimate dialogue between artist and viewer that invites introspection and the search for one's own interpretations.

Nikl's performance, Connection, was experienced last year in the Telegraph itself, when Telegraphics was also produced for the occasion. A catalogue was also produced to accompany the exhibition. All can be purchased from our eshop.