Hynek Martinec (b. 1980, Broumov, Czech Republic) lives and works in London, UK. Martinec studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague, where he mastered traditional painting methods, and later at Middlesex University in London. He further developed his artistic language at The Cooper Union in New York, deepening his engagement with contemporary theory and gaining an international perspective. Martinec is known for his innovative fusion of classical painting techniques with conceptual and experimental approaches with his works highlighting themes of time, memory, and perception, often navigating the intersections of art history, science, and philosophy.
Solo Exhibitions include Cyberlemon, DOX Centre for Contemporary Art, Prague, Czech Republic (2025); Thank You for Looking at Me, OHSH Projects, London, UK (2023); Will and Representation, Parafin Gallery, London, UK (2021-2022); The Everyday Archive, Brixton Beneficiary, London, UK (2019); Voyage to Iceland, National Gallery, Prague, Czech Republic (2018); Kilián Ignác D., Galerie Dum, Broumov, Czech Republic (2018); El Greco Is Watching (ongoing), Spain (2017); The Birth of Tragedies, Parafin Gallery, London, UK (2017); Hybrid, The Factory Gallery, London, UK (2016); Thank You for Looking at Me, Iceland (2016); Intellectual Properties, Václav Spála Gallery, Prague, Czech Republic (2015); Every Minute You are Closer to Death, Parafin Gallery, London, UK (2014); Every Minute You are Closer to Death, Flowers Gallery, London, UK (2013); Lucky Man, Caroline Wiseman, Fine Art, London, UK (2010); At the Same Time, Cosa Gallery, London, UK (2009); After Holiday 1986, Czech Centre Gallery, Sofia, Czech Republic (2009); Lost in Time, Cosa Gallery, London, UK (2008); Czech Centre Gallery, Paris, France (2007)
Group Exhibitions include (Upcoming) Symposium, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, West Palm Beach, USA (2025); Vessel,OHSH Projects, London, UK (2024); Taste, Wönzimer Gallery, Los Angeles, USA (2024); Bread, OHSH Projects, London, UK (2024); EduArt, Pragovka Gallery, Prague, Czech Republic (2024); Summer Exhibition, Royal Academy of Arts, London, UK (2023); Gallery Artist, Parafin Gallery, London, UK (2023); BFAMI Art Auctions, Phillips, London, UK (2022); Absurd, OHSH Projects, London, UK (2022); MEN, Aleš South Bohemian Gallery, Hluboká nad Vltavou, Czech Republic (2022); Still Life/Life Still, OHSH Projects, London, UK (2022); Vanitas, DOX Centre for Contemporary Art, Prague, Czech Republic (2021); Signal II, Telegraph Gallery, Olomouc, Czech Republic (2021); The Will to Power, ASC Gallery, London, UK (2021); Complex States: Art in the Years of Brexit, AR platform and international exhibition, worldwide (2020); The Same for Everyone, Parafin Gallery, London, UK (2020); Inspiration – Contemporary Art & Classics, Ateneum, Finnish National Gallery, Helsinki, Finland (2020); Inspiration – Iconic Works, National Museum, Stockholm, Sweden (2020); In Loving Memory, Emo Court, Country Laois, Ireland (2019); Vanité, Brixton Beneficiary, London, UK (2019); Fascination with Reality, Museum of Modern Art, Olomouc, Czech Republic (2017); Arc of Memory, Zahorian & Van Espen, Prague, Czech Republic (2017); Blow Up, Parafin Gallery, London, UK (2015); John Moores Painting Prize, Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, UK (2014); BP Portrait Award, National Portrait Gallery, London, UK (2013); Beyond Reality: British Painting Today, Galerie Rudolfinum, Prague, Czech Republic (2012); Ein Weisses Feld, Schlachthaus Aschaffenburg (2012); Coal and Steel, Candid Arts Trust Gallery, London, UK (2012); Coal and Steel, Czech Centre Gallery, Prague, Czech Republic (2012); Encoded Systems, Read Gate Gallery, London, UK (2011); BP Portrait Award, National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland (2010); Passion for Freedom, UNIT24 Gallery, London, UK (2010); Transfer, Czech National Building, New York, USA (2010); BP Portrait Award, Southampton City Art Gallery, Southampton (2009); BP Portrait Award, National Portrait Gallery, London, UK (2009); Prague Biennale 4, Prague, Czech Republic (2009); Transfer, Moravian Gallery, Brno, Czech Republic (2009); Transfer, Whitebox Gallery, Munich, Germany (2008); Mobility: Re-Reading the future – International Triennale of Contemporary Art, National Gallery, Prague, Czech Republic (2008); Defenestrace, Galerie Novomestská randice, Prague, Czech Republic (2008); BP Portrait Award, National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh, Scotland (2008); BP Portrait Award, Tyne & Wear Museums, Newcastle, UK (2007); BP Portrait Award, National Portrait Gallery, London, UK (2007); BLACK Art Festival, Pardubice, Czech Republic (2006); Prague Biennale, National Gallery, Prague, Czech Republic (2005); Gallery Foundation M + J Anderle, Prague, Czech Republic (2005); Prague’s Studios, Galerie Novomestká randice, Prague, Czech Republic (2005); Cooper Union Gallery, New York, USA (2004); Ctvercová Leč ARTTODAY, Galerie Nová Sín, Prague, Czech Republic (2003)
Highlights
Martinec is the recipient of multiple awards including, The Changing faces, London, UK (2008); BP Visitors’ Choice, National Scottish Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh, Scotland (2008); BP Young Artist Award, National Portrait Gallery, London, UK (2007); BP Visitors’ Choice, National Portrait Gallery, London, UK (2007); Studio Prize, The Academy of Fine Arts, Prague, Czech Republic (2003)