David Černý

DAVID
ČERNÝ

ARTIST OF CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE

BIOGRAPHY

Born in Prague in 1967 to a family of artists, Černý studied at the Academy of Applied Arts in Prague between 1988 and 1996. In 1990, he received the Special Prize in the Biennale of Kortrijk, Belgium. One year later, he began his residential scholarship in Boswil after receiving a grant from the Swiss Government. In 1994, he moved to New York as an artist in residence at the PS1 gallery. Two years later, he completed the Whitney Independent Study Program. In 1996, he won another grant, this time from the Pollack-Krasner Foundation in the United States, and in 2000, he received the Jindřich Chalupecký Award for being the country's most promising visual artist under the age of 35. In 2001, he founded Meetfactory, a non-profit international center for contemporary art. Most recently, in 2017, he started Black n' Arch, an architectural studio known for its innovative approaches to architecture and design. Besides his artwork, David Černý is also active in the fields of theatre and cinema, music, design, and architecture. He is a passionate diver, driver and, since passing his ATPL exam in 2014, also a pilot not only of planes but also helicopters and gliders. He lives in Prague and is a proud father of his daughter, Elektra.

MILESTONES
1990Special Prize — Biennale of Kortrijk, Belgium
1991Painted a Soviet tank monument pink. Briefly arrested. International notoriety.
1991Residential scholarship in Boswil, grant from the Swiss Government
1994Artist in residence at PS1 gallery, New York
1996Completed the Whitney Independent Study Program
1996Grant from the Pollack-Krasner Foundation, United States
2000Jindřich Chalupecký Award — most promising Czech visual artist under 35
2001Founded Meetfactory — non-profit international center for contemporary art, Prague
2014ATPL exam passed — licensed pilot of planes, helicopters, and gliders
2017Founded Black n' Arch — architectural studio, Prague