Interview: Jana Kupčáková
Luca Curci talks with Jana Kupčáková during CANVAS INTERNATIONAL ART FAIR 2022, at THE ROOM – Contemporary Art Space.

Jana Kupčáková is a traveller and photographer from the Czech Republic. In her work, she focused mainly on street photography. She is a graduate and since 2014 a lecturer at the School of Creative Photography in Prague. In 2012 received the title of “Photographer of the Year”. Her photographs have appeared at exhibitions and photography festivals around the world and published in several books, such as Women Street photographers, Gulnara Samoilova 2021 or Photographize annual book, 100 Best selected 2021.

About STREETS OF THE WORLD: The street is one big stage for her and she really enjoys capturing this crowded and dynamic show. She likes to be aware of interesting plays of light and shadow, humorous or artistic elements, facial expressions, gestures, colour contrasts, and situations that often last only for a moment. Jana tries to tell a short story with each photo.

Luca Curci – How did you get to photography?
Jana Kupčáková – My biggest hobby – travelling – brought me to photography. I wanted to use the photos to recall the memories and beautiful places I have seen.

LC – According to you, what makes a good photo? Which details do you focus on?
JK – I always say that there is beauty in simplicity and it captures my work and my view of the photo. Photo should captivate with its artistic side, or with its message. For me, a good photo is one that I will be happy to return to, which will make me feel pleasant, pleasing to the eye and can evoke the memories and feelings that one felt when creating it. I like to work with the color and art side of selected themes.

LC – Where do you find your inspiration?
JK – I find inspiration in my life, in people who are close to me, in movies, painting and especially on my travels. Everything that surrounds us shapes our view of the world, and everything we let into our lives affects our work.

LC – How is being an artist nowadays?
JK – It probably depends on your life goals. For me, art is a form of mental relaxation. In today’s over-technological and hectic times, one needs to slow down a bit, learn to perceive the beauties around you and create something tangible that is not just part of virtual space.

LC – How do you choose your subjects?
JK – My favourite genre is humanist photography and related scenes from everyday life. I like to roam the streets, whether at home or on the road, observing the world around me and noticing everyday scenes and moments, which often last only a moment and never have to be repeated.

LC – What is the message linked to the artwork you have shown in this event?
JK – I admit that I don’t like fancy photography, which we are constantly surrounded by on social networks these days. I like photography that captures the real world and real-life as I perceive it. The world around us is one big stage, where a different story takes place every minute and everyone has their own unique charm. Street photography captures time in its true form, and such images are of value to me.

LC – What do you think about ITSLIQUID Platform?
JK – I think it offers great and varied opportunities for artists to present their work, which is very important today. This is my first experience with this platform and I have to praise it very much. Despite the fact that I travel all over the world, Italy is closest to my heart and a lot of my successful photos were taken right here. Therefore, I am happy that I was given the opportunity to exhibit in Venice and my dream came true. Thanks again and I look forward to seeing a similar opportunity in the future.