Jaroslav Šmídek: furniture and interior design

The exhibition is prepared to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Jaroslav Šmídek (1923–2005), a designer at the Ústředí lidové umělecké výroby (ÚLUV; The Centre for Folk Art Production; 1951–1955) and a designer at the Vývoj nábytkářského průmyslu in Brno (VNP; Furniture Industry Development; 1955–1966), who significantly influenced the composition of industrial furniture products in Czechoslovakia with his designs for modular cabinet and kitchen furniture and upholstered sitting furniture.

In recent years, the name of the Brno architect has come to the attention of professional circles and the public thanks to rising interest in post-war “retro” design. In the exhibition, he will be presented not only as a designer of iconic models, but also as the author of a number of remarkable interiors of public buildings, the design of which he produced as a freelance designer (1966–1996). There will be furniture in original condition and renovated furniture pieces on display, unique drawings from his personal archive and other documentary materials.