Běla Kolářová & Emila Medková: Where No One Looked Before

Muzeum Susch presents Běla Kolářová & Emila Medková: Where No One Looked Before, which brings together the works of two Czech artists: Běla Kolářová and Emila Medková.

Muzeum Susch is launching a new exhibition and research program dedicated to exploring various strands of 20th-century women's photography, including avant-garde, documentary, socially engaged, and feminist photography. This series, complementary to the main exhibition, research, and publication program, will emphasize the importance of female photographers from different countries, offering an in-depth reflection on their contributions and enabling a comparative analysis of their approaches to the medium.

The history of photography, like many other histories, has been largely shaped by the contributions of male artists. Their gaze, captured on photosensitive materials, has significantly influenced our understanding of the artistic lineages to which female photographers were later assigned. Muzeum Susch aims to challenge this entrenched perspective, arguing that this historical viewpoint was fundamentally flawed from the beginning. When viewed through the groundbreaking work of female artists, the history of photography reveals a richer and more fascinating narrative. By focusing on these pioneering women, Muzeum Susch seeks to uncover previously hidden artistic lineages - matrilineal ones and showcase the radical experiments and diverse strategies employed by female photographers. These artists often turned to photography as an accessible medium due to a lack of recognition and lavish working conditions. This exploration promises to transform our understanding of the photographic landscape and the history that has shaped it.

The project begins with the exhibition Běla Kolářová & Emila Medková: Where No One Looked Before.