Jitka Exler, Jan Kabzan
Parallel Arrivals
Od 23. 1. 2026 do 4. 3. 2026
The exhibition will run from January 23th, 2026 – March 4th, 2026
Czech Center Gallery New York
Bohemian National hall
Curator: Vilém Kabzan
Parallel Arrivals brings together two distinct artistic voices originally from Czechoslovakia whose practices are shaped by freedom, intuition, and a sustained commitment to abstraction.
Throughout their practice, Jitka Exler and Jan Kabzan reject postmodern relativism and embrace painting as a deeply personal, expressive act. Rooted in American abstraction, Exler’s work unfolds across painting, material, and form, while Kazan’s canvases reflect nature’s vibrations and frequencies.
Alongside her independent artistic work, Exler contributed for many years to the creation of Sesame Street and Jim Henson’s The Muppets, for which she was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Costume Design.
The exhibition is a tribute to the continuity of artistic vision in a world increasingly dominated by digital imagery.
Jitka Exler – Artist
She studied art in Prague and worked at the Brati v triku animation studio.
After signing Charter 77, she left Czechoslovakia in 1980 and settled in New York. In the U.S., she collaborated with The Jim Henson Company and spent eight years working on Sesame Street, earning an Emmy nomination for her puppet design. She designed acclaimed toys and puppets for major companies such as Disney and Mattel, and also created her own line, Art Plush, while continuing her independent art practice.
Jan Kabzan – Artist
Artist working across photography and painting. His work explores patterns, emotion, and intuition, often leaving interpretation open to the viewer. Raised in Ostrava, he trained as an artist in Czechoslovakia before fleeing the country in the early 1980s.
His practice has since developed independently, informed by nature, long-term observation, and art-historical reference.
Special thanks to Harmony Foundation, Inc. and The Jim Henson Company
