Nedovolené delení/Illicit Division 1992

Ludmila Jandová created this print, "Illicit Division," using etching and aquatint. It presents a dynamic interplay of form and void, a stark white division slicing through layered planes of sepia tones. Made in 1995, this work invites us to consider the social and political context of post-Soviet Czechoslovakia. The "illicit division" alluded to in the title hints at the fracturing of established structures and ideologies. Jandová's abstraction resonates with the broader artistic movements of the time, particularly those exploring themes of fragmentation and redefinition in the wake of political upheaval. The use of etching and aquatint, traditional printmaking techniques, further grounds the work in a specific art-historical context, even as its abstract composition pushes against established norms. To fully appreciate Jandová's work, one might delve into the history of Czech art institutions, and the role of art in shaping national identity. Researching the political climate of the 1990s would illuminate the complex social forces at play in Jandová's art.