Ľuboš Kotlár
About
visual artist / photographer
*1991
based in Prague, CZ / Bratislava, SK
artist statement
My artistic practice engages with conditions of uncertainty shaped by overlapping ecological, political, and social crises. Working across multimedia and installation, I create site- and time-specific “situations” that foreground process, ephemerality, and shared experience over fixed objects. Informed by queer theory and my lived experience as an artist of Roma heritage, I explore non-normative temporalities, liminal spaces, and states of dysfunction - not as deficits, but as generative frameworks for rethinking how we inhabit time, space, and community.
Rather than producing stable narratives, my work often resists control, inviting contingency, duration, and embodied perception. I am particularly interested in spaces that have lost or shifted their original function - transitional environments that open possibilities for alternative uses, collective encounters, and new forms of attention. Through minimal interventions, performative gestures, and collaborative formats, I create environments that encourage visitors to slow down, gather, and engage in shared, present-moment experience.
My projects draw on a range of references, from ritual and mysticism to contemporary technological systems, examining how belief, meaning, and social relations are constructed and sustained. Ultimately, my work seeks to cultivate moments of connection, reflection, and collective presence, proposing art as a space for imagining alternative ways of being and relating beyond dominant structures of productivity and normativity.
Rather than producing stable narratives, my work often resists control, inviting contingency, duration, and embodied perception. I am particularly interested in spaces that have lost or shifted their original function - transitional environments that open possibilities for alternative uses, collective encounters, and new forms of attention. Through minimal interventions, performative gestures, and collaborative formats, I create environments that encourage visitors to slow down, gather, and engage in shared, present-moment experience.
My projects draw on a range of references, from ritual and mysticism to contemporary technological systems, examining how belief, meaning, and social relations are constructed and sustained. Ultimately, my work seeks to cultivate moments of connection, reflection, and collective presence, proposing art as a space for imagining alternative ways of being and relating beyond dominant structures of productivity and normativity.
solo
exhibitions
last summer i have fallen in love madly
(site/time-specific event)
2024
Summer swimming pool Mičurín, Bratislava, SK
something's wrong and i can feel it
2024
Nová Synagóga, Žilina, SK
sugar
within Biennale Matter of Art
(in collaboration with Robert Gabris)
2022
Šaloun Villa, Prague, CZ
nowlessness, act ii: the waves
within OFF Bratislava
2019
Galéria MEDIUM, Bratislava, SK
nowlessness, act i: calm after the storm
(site-specific event)
2018
Undeadarena.com, Bratislava, SK
What we talk about when we talk about Anne Frank
2017
Galéria Nadácie Slovak Press Photo, Bratislava, SK
prettywhenicry
2015
Galéria ŽUMPA, Bratislava, SK
(site/time-specific event)
2024
Summer swimming pool Mičurín, Bratislava, SK
something's wrong and i can feel it
2024
Nová Synagóga, Žilina, SK
sugar
within Biennale Matter of Art
(in collaboration with Robert Gabris)
2022
Šaloun Villa, Prague, CZ
nowlessness, act ii: the waves
within OFF Bratislava
2019
Galéria MEDIUM, Bratislava, SK
nowlessness, act i: calm after the storm
(site-specific event)
2018
Undeadarena.com, Bratislava, SK
What we talk about when we talk about Anne Frank
2017
Galéria Nadácie Slovak Press Photo, Bratislava, SK
prettywhenicry
2015
Galéria ŽUMPA, Bratislava, SK
group
exhibitions
Art is not a competition, but I'm winning
curated by Miroslava Urbanová
2025
Galéria Jána Koniarka, Trnava, SK
OFF Bratislava
curated section
2025
OD Prior, Bratislava, SK
Whispers in Plain Sight
curated by Zhiheng Ashely Zhang
2025
RU House, Governors Island, New York, USA
Atchin Than
curated by Małgorzata Mirga-Tas
2024
Willa Oksza, Muzeum Tatrzańskie w Zakopanem, Zakopane, PL
Under a Shared Fragile Roof
curated by Miroslava Urbanová
2024
Slovenský institut Praha, Prague, CZ
Looking A – Way
curated by Iva Kovač
2024
tranzit.sk, Bratislava, SK
Y: Survive!
curated by Anna Chrtková and Petr Dlouhý
2023
X10 Theatre, Prague, CZ
SOMEBODIES SOMEWHERES SOMETHINGS
curated by Miroslava Urbanová
2023
Bratislava Castle, Bratislava, SK
Gypsyism, Balkanism - Through a Glass, Darkly
curated by Bratislav Mitrović
2023
ERIAC Serbia, Belgrad, RS
All That We Have in Common
curated by Jovanka Popova
within Manifesta 14
2022
Museum of Contemporary Art, Skopje, MK
Světy Jindřicha Chalupeckého
curated by Tereza Jindrová, Karina Kottová and Tomáš Pospiszyl
2022
The City Gallery of Bratislava, Bratislava, SK
Gimmick
within dsk. collective
curated by Barbora Komárová
2022
Galéria Kolomana Sokola, Liptovský Mikuláš, SK
Roma Resistance and Resilience
curated by Denisa Tomková
2021
ERIAC Berlin, Berlin, DE
Portrait triennale
curated by Miroslava Kubáňová
2021
Liptovská galéria P. M. Bohúňa, Liptovský Mikuláš, SK
Different Worlds 2020
curated by Špela Pipan
2020
Photon - Centre for Contemporary Photography, Ljubljana, SI
Future Perfect Simple Continuous
curated by Gabriela Smetanová
2020
Slovak National Museum, Bratislava, SK
Keres Kultura! Robíme kultúru!
curated by Emília Rigová and Petra Hanáková
2019
Stredoslovenská galéria, Banská Bystrica, SK
Melanch lia
curated by Miroslava Urbanová
2019
Považská galéria umenia, Žilina, SK
BIG SEE Photography 2018
within Month of Design Exhibition
curated by Špela Pipan/Photon - Centre for Contemporary Photography
2018
Zavod Big, Ljubljana, SI
PODKROVIE
curated by Gabriela Smetanová
2018
The City Gallery of Bratislava, Bratislava, SK
curated by Miroslava Urbanová
2025
Galéria Jána Koniarka, Trnava, SK
OFF Bratislava
curated section
2025
OD Prior, Bratislava, SK
Whispers in Plain Sight
curated by Zhiheng Ashely Zhang
2025
RU House, Governors Island, New York, USA
Atchin Than
curated by Małgorzata Mirga-Tas
2024
Willa Oksza, Muzeum Tatrzańskie w Zakopanem, Zakopane, PL
Under a Shared Fragile Roof
curated by Miroslava Urbanová
2024
Slovenský institut Praha, Prague, CZ
Looking A – Way
curated by Iva Kovač
2024
tranzit.sk, Bratislava, SK
Y: Survive!
curated by Anna Chrtková and Petr Dlouhý
2023
X10 Theatre, Prague, CZ
SOMEBODIES SOMEWHERES SOMETHINGS
curated by Miroslava Urbanová
2023
Bratislava Castle, Bratislava, SK
Gypsyism, Balkanism - Through a Glass, Darkly
curated by Bratislav Mitrović
2023
ERIAC Serbia, Belgrad, RS
All That We Have in Common
curated by Jovanka Popova
within Manifesta 14
2022
Museum of Contemporary Art, Skopje, MK
Světy Jindřicha Chalupeckého
curated by Tereza Jindrová, Karina Kottová and Tomáš Pospiszyl
2022
The City Gallery of Bratislava, Bratislava, SK
Gimmick
within dsk. collective
curated by Barbora Komárová
2022
Galéria Kolomana Sokola, Liptovský Mikuláš, SK
Roma Resistance and Resilience
curated by Denisa Tomková
2021
ERIAC Berlin, Berlin, DE
Portrait triennale
curated by Miroslava Kubáňová
2021
Liptovská galéria P. M. Bohúňa, Liptovský Mikuláš, SK
Different Worlds 2020
curated by Špela Pipan
2020
Photon - Centre for Contemporary Photography, Ljubljana, SI
Future Perfect Simple Continuous
curated by Gabriela Smetanová
2020
Slovak National Museum, Bratislava, SK
Keres Kultura! Robíme kultúru!
curated by Emília Rigová and Petra Hanáková
2019
Stredoslovenská galéria, Banská Bystrica, SK
Melanch lia
curated by Miroslava Urbanová
2019
Považská galéria umenia, Žilina, SK
BIG SEE Photography 2018
within Month of Design Exhibition
curated by Špela Pipan/Photon - Centre for Contemporary Photography
2018
Zavod Big, Ljubljana, SI
PODKROVIE
curated by Gabriela Smetanová
2018
The City Gallery of Bratislava, Bratislava, SK
residencies & symposiums
Residency Unlimited
New York City, USA
2025
Jaw Dikh 2024
Rzepiska, PL
2024
Artak350
Grundarfjörður, IS
2022
MeetFactory
Prague, CZ
2022
Villa Romana
in cooperation with ERIAC
Florence, IT
2021
New York City, USA
2025
Jaw Dikh 2024
Rzepiska, PL
2024
Artak350
Grundarfjörður, IS
2022
MeetFactory
Prague, CZ
2022
Villa Romana
in cooperation with ERIAC
Florence, IT
2021
curatorial
work
nowlessness, act iii: hot in here
(site-specific event co-curated with Erik Vilím)
within OFF Bratislava
2021
fallout shelter under Kunsthalle Bratislava, Bratislava, SK
Smoke & Mirrors
(co-curated with Ema Hesterová, Oksana Hoshko, Barbora Komárová, Miroslava Urbanová)
group exhibition marking the 30th anniversary of foundation of Department of Photography and New Media at Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava
2020
MEDIUM Gallery, Bratislava, SK
Y
(co-curated with Barbora Komárová, Miroslava Urbanová)
group exhibition marking the 70th anniversary of foundation of Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava
2019
Galéria UMELKA, Bratislava, SK
My thoughts have been replaced by Beyoncé lyrics
Leontína Berková, solo exhibition
2019
Phoinix, Bratislava, SK
not to capture an image, to maintain one
within OFF Bratislava
2018
ART BOOKS CAFFEE, Bratislava, SK
(site-specific event co-curated with Erik Vilím)
within OFF Bratislava
2021
fallout shelter under Kunsthalle Bratislava, Bratislava, SK
Smoke & Mirrors
(co-curated with Ema Hesterová, Oksana Hoshko, Barbora Komárová, Miroslava Urbanová)
group exhibition marking the 30th anniversary of foundation of Department of Photography and New Media at Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava
2020
MEDIUM Gallery, Bratislava, SK
Y
(co-curated with Barbora Komárová, Miroslava Urbanová)
group exhibition marking the 70th anniversary of foundation of Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava
2019
Galéria UMELKA, Bratislava, SK
My thoughts have been replaced by Beyoncé lyrics
Leontína Berková, solo exhibition
2019
Phoinix, Bratislava, SK
not to capture an image, to maintain one
within OFF Bratislava
2018
ART BOOKS CAFFEE, Bratislava, SK
awards
Oskár Čepan Award
laureate
2025
Slovak Press Photo
Young Talent of the Year
2016
laureate
2025
Slovak Press Photo
Young Talent of the Year
2016
media
Denník N (interview)
Fotografia ma prestala napĺňať, vraví laureát Ceny Oskára Čepana Ľuboš Kotlár
by Monika Pascoe Mikyšková
2026
Artalk (interview)
Existencia inakosti bez rámca konfliktu
by Štefánia Ďuricová
2025
Artalk (review)
Reč objektov na nebi
by Dominika Moravčíková
2024
FLASH ART #67, 3 – 6/2023, Czech & Slovak Edition (interview)
O queer časovosti a kolaborácii v súčasnom stave krízy: Rozhovor s Ľubošom Kotlárom
by Denisa Tomková
2023
Momus (interview)
How Does a Collective End? An Interview with Robert Gabris and Ľuboš Kotlár
by Denisa Tomková
2022
MLOKi (interview)
Ľuboš Kotlár: Prostredníctvom práce s dočasnosťou vytváram záznam súčasnosti
by Michaela Hučko Paštéková
2022
Fotografia ma prestala napĺňať, vraví laureát Ceny Oskára Čepana Ľuboš Kotlár
by Monika Pascoe Mikyšková
2026
Artalk (interview)
Existencia inakosti bez rámca konfliktu
by Štefánia Ďuricová
2025
Artalk (review)
Reč objektov na nebi
by Dominika Moravčíková
2024
FLASH ART #67, 3 – 6/2023, Czech & Slovak Edition (interview)
O queer časovosti a kolaborácii v súčasnom stave krízy: Rozhovor s Ľubošom Kotlárom
by Denisa Tomková
2023
Momus (interview)
How Does a Collective End? An Interview with Robert Gabris and Ľuboš Kotlár
by Denisa Tomková
2022
MLOKi (interview)
Ľuboš Kotlár: Prostredníctvom práce s dočasnosťou vytváram záznam súčasnosti
by Michaela Hučko Paštéková
2022
work experience
tutor
Commercial Photography
Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava
Bratislava, SK
2021 -
visual editor, photographer
EVA magazine, EMMA magazine, Madam EVA magazine
News and Media Holding, Bratislava, SK
2018 -
visual editor
EVA magazine, Madam EVA magazine
Ringier Axel Springer a.s., Bratislava, SK
2017 - 2018
Commercial Photography
Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava
Bratislava, SK
2021 -
visual editor, photographer
EVA magazine, EMMA magazine, Madam EVA magazine
News and Media Holding, Bratislava, SK
2018 -
visual editor
EVA magazine, Madam EVA magazine
Ringier Axel Springer a.s., Bratislava, SK
2017 - 2018
education
master's degree
Photography and New Media
Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava, Bratislava, SK
2016 - 2018
Photography
Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, Jerusalem, ISR
2017 (spring)
bachelor's degree
Photography and New Media
Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava, Bratislava, SK
2012 - 2016
Visual Culture and Contemporary Art
Aalto school of Art Design and Architecture, Helsinki, FI
2014 (autumn)
Photography
School of Design, Bratislava, SK
2010 - 2012
Photography and New Media
Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava, Bratislava, SK
2016 - 2018
Photography
Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, Jerusalem, ISR
2017 (spring)
bachelor's degree
Photography and New Media
Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava, Bratislava, SK
2012 - 2016
Visual Culture and Contemporary Art
Aalto school of Art Design and Architecture, Helsinki, FI
2014 (autumn)
Photography
School of Design, Bratislava, SK
2010 - 2012