According to artist Barbora Lungová, urban planning projects and residential habits frequently clash with ecological coexistence, a phenomenon she categorizes as “biofobia” in her exhibition titled Biofilie, biofobie a touha zeleně at the Horácká Gallery in Nové Město na Moravě. Opening a window into contemporary landscape perception, the showcase runs through September 20, uniting site-specific observations of informal street greenery with satirical figurative paintings that question social stereotypes and male power structures.
Exploring Informal Urban Greenery and Botanical Resistance
During preliminary walks through Nové Město na Moravě, artist Barbora Lungová observed the significant effort residents invest in cultivating informal public gardens and green spaces. According to the artist’s fieldwork, these micro-initiatives feature wetland meadows, the meandering Bezděčka stream below local housing estates, and minute floral setups. “One woman has a small garden with peonies, roses, rhododendrons, and a bench on the slope near the tower block,” Lungová says of the site. “She built a small miracle here.” These observations informed the pastel and watercolor drawings alongside video works making up the first segment of her gallery presentation.
Satire and Cinematic Allusions in Figurative Painting
Bridging her background in film studies and English literature with visual arts, Barbora Lungová utilizes irony as a foundational method in her figurative painting series. According to the artist, satirical commentary from her upbringing serves as vital creative material. Her previous works, such as the 2019 canvas Hello Kitty!, feature self-stylization into characters reminiscent of late New Wave cinema, drawing direct inspiration from Marie Motlová’s role in Ecce homo Homolka. Other pieces incorporate motifs from Alfred Hitchcock’s noir aesthetic, exploring themes of claustrophobia, paranoia, and the complex dynamics between male and female protagonists.
Conceptual Gardening and the Queer-Led Rainbow Garden
Expanding her ecological focus beyond the gallery walls, Barbora Lungová established the “Duhová zahrada” (Rainbow Garden) near Kyjov during the COVID-19 pandemic, transforming a barren agricultural plot into a tribute to queer minorities. According to historical classifications of iris varieties, many species carry the root word “gay” in their naming conventions, denoting cheerfulness and vibrant color. The artist organized her conceptual garden beds around these distinct names, even embedding floral tributes to her partner, Tamara Conde. Documentation of this garden—featuring hand-painted illustrations of irises, chrysanthemums, and detailed insect studies—is presented in a hand-crafted journal available for gallery visitors to examine using white gloves.
Did You Know?
Barbora Lungová was named one of the laureates of the Jindřich Chalupecký Award in 2025, recognizing her multifaceted contributions to contemporary art, environmental theory, and critical gardening projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core theme of the exhibition at Horácká Gallery?
According to Barbora Lungová, the exhibition explores “biofilie” (human affinity for nature), “biofobie” (resistance to ecological processes like falling leaves), and “touha zeleně” (the biological drive of plants for ideal living conditions).
Where is the Rainbow Garden located?
The conceptual Duhová zahrada was established by the artist on a former agricultural field in Kameníky near Kyjov.
Until when is the exhibition open to the public?
The exhibition Barbora Lungová – Biofilie, biofobie a touha zeleně remains open at the Horácká Gallery in Nové Město na Moravě until September 20.
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