Curator, educator, and photographer Tomáš Pospěch has published a comprehensive 300-page monographic book dedicated to the work of artist Mirek Kaufman through his publishing house PositiF, according to recent publishing announcements. The publication assembles a wide-ranging selection of the 63-year-old Žatec-born artist’s large-format painting cycles, drawings, collages, photographs, and personal diary entries.
Artistic Evolution and International Exhibition History
Kaufman graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague and subsequently pursued further studies at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, alongside study residencies in Switzerland and other locations, as noted in biographical records. He has exhibited independently since 1989, and his paintings are currently held in private collections belonging to European collectors. Beyond the Czech Republic, his work has been displayed in the Netherlands, Switzerland, group exhibitions in Belgium, and frequently in France. In France, Kaufman has held solo exhibitions at the Galerie Bernanos, Galerie Michèle L.B., and Galerie Crous Beaux-Arts in Paris, as well as in Nanterre, Cajarc, and Châtenay-Malabry, alongside group shows in Toulouse and Épinay sur Seine. The artist developed a deep connection to French culture during his study stays in the 1990s.
Large-Format Paintings and the Philosophy of Visual Autonomy
Kaufman considers large-format painting cycles to be his primary domain, frequently shifting his canvases in unexpected directions. According to Kaufman, paintings should speak for themselves without relying on external context. “Paintings should speak for themselves. First of all, it is good to look at the picture. Everything biographical and other circumstances associated with authorship are not important at that moment,” Kaufman states.
Inside the PositiF Monograph Production
Publisher Tomáš Pospěch initially wrote a review of Kaufman’s paintings in 1997 as an art history student, believing he knew the works well. However, the physical process of compiling the monograph changed that perspective. According to Pospěch, photographing the paintings sequentially in their entirety and in detail—touching them, smelling them, and calculating lighting and framing—allowed the works to “burrow much further under the skin.” Pospěch sought to translate this tactile experience into the book design so readers would enjoy interacting physically with the object. The publication features French and English translations and is scheduled for presentation in Paris alongside a concurrent exhibition of Kaufman’s art.
| Exhibition / Project | Medium / Type | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Bod zlomu, Mixed Emotions, InExtreMis | Large-format painting cycles | Showcased in previous solo exhibitions |
| Ostré střihy bez odpadu | Painting series (2025) | Featured publicly for the first time |
| Historky z fasád | Urban snapshot photography | Reflects the artist’s studio bulletin board and diary drawings |
Collaborative Texts and Urban Inspiration
The monograph is complemented by critical writing from art historian Petr Vaňouch and an in-depth interview conducted between Mirek Kaufman and curator Jiří Ptáček. Additionally, a portfolio of urban snapshot photographs titled Historky z fasád (Stories from Facades) references a fluidly changing bulletin board located inside the artist’s studio, paired with drawings culled from Kaufman’s personal journals. Kaufman views the urban environment as an ongoing laboratory for daily observation.
Did you know? Kaufman’s Historky z fasád photography series draws direct inspiration from the shifting collages and notes pinned to his studio walls, treating city streets as a living canvas of spontaneous visual textures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who published the new Mirek Kaufman monograph?
The 300-page monograph was published by PositiF, an independent publishing house operated by curator, educator, and photographer Tomáš Pospěch.
What content is included in the new book?
The publication features selections from Kaufman’s painting cycles—including Bod zlomu, Mixed Emotions, InExtreMis, and the debut of his 2025 series Ostré střihy bez odpadu—alongside drawings, collages, photographs, diary records, an essay by Petr Vaňouch, and an interview with curator Jiří Ptáček.
Is the book available in languages other than Czech?
Yes, the monograph has been published with full French and English translations to support international distribution and its upcoming launch in Paris.
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