Explore Self-Portraiture and Identity in Jiří Petrbok's 'Patient Diary' Exhibition

Jiří Petrbok's exhibition 'Patient Diary' delves into self-portraiture, showcasing works from the 1990s to the present that explore a constantly questioned 'self' as a space of transformation and defense. The exhibition examines identity as a fluid process shaped by external pressures and internal experience.

Jiří Petrbok's exhibition 'Patient Diary' centers on the theme of self-portraiture, tracing the artist's work from the 1990s to the present as an evolving record of a continuously questioned self. Petrbok views the self-portrait not as a means to affirm identity, but as a site for transformation, disguise, irony, and defense, where the subject appears as a hybrid, a role, or a body affected by societal pressures. The title, 'Patient Diary,' alludes to experiences of illness and broader exposures to institutions, social expectations, symbols, and the body's own limitations, portraying an individual under pressure who maintains a personal record to retain coherence. The exhibition follows the evolution of this principle through Petrbok's oeuvre, from early works depicting physical and existential changes to motifs involving masks, protective suits, and fragmented figures. Later works integrate family, institutions, public spaces, and language into the self-portrait. Petrbok's art does not seek an ultimate "true self" but rather portrays identity as a fluid collection of roles, defenses, gestures, and reactions, influenced by both external forces and internal states. 'Patient Diary' functions less as an intimate confession and more as a compelling portrait of an individual navigating vulnerability and self-deprecation while striving for coherence.

Merchandise for the exhibition is available for purchase in the Bendox bookshop and via their e-shop. General ticket information can be found on the museum's 'Visit Us' page.