Step inside the world of visual artist Michal Škapa, who has created an exclusive series of lithographic prints for the Kunsthalle Praha Design Shop. During our visit of his studio at MeetFactory in Prague, we talked about his fascination with urban landscapes, Japanese visual culture, experimentation with techniques, and his exceptional collaboration with glassmaking Studio Dechem. The result is a bold limited edition pulsating with energy, emotion, and the artist's unmistakable signature.
You like to work on several themes at a time and across different media in parallel. What does printmaking and lithography mean to you?
Primarily, I focus on painting or working with neon tubes. I love experimenting and expressing myself through different media and I’ve always been deeply fond of printmaking. I followed it for a long time and dreamed of having my own setup for silkscreen printing. Eventually, some friends and I founded a screen-printing studio called Analog Bros, which still operates today. Over the past five years, I have completely fallen for litography, and I’m really pleased to have made the two new ones as a special edition for Kunsthalle Praha Design Shop.
How would you describe the difference you feel when working on a large format vs. the intimacy of paper?
That’s an interesting question because paper and printmaking each have their own distinct qualities. Lithography, in particular, fascinates me because it can’t be faked or bypassed. Everything must be drawn by hand directly onto the stone, and there’s very limited room for digital transfer. This approach runs through all my work. I push myself not to rely on the computer as much so that my signature style stays visible and strong. Working in the lithography studio also opened up a wide range of new processes for me. For the Kunsthalle Praha prints, I discovered a new method and allowed myself to experiment more. Usually, you draw on the stone using lithographic ink, but here I worked with acrylic. For the larger-format print, I used tracing paper, which left black marks in certain areas. The final print captures those very lines created by the pressure through the tracing paper. It’s also made in an extreme size — we actually used what’s probably the largest available lithography stone in the Czech Republic.
The motif of the large print is a Tokyo district. What fascinates you about the urban landscape and city structures?
I grew up in Prague, and viewing the city through graffiti, exploring hidden corners and alleyways as part of that subculture, has had a big influence on me. It’s something that continues to shape my work today. The city structure in the larger print follows my long-term creative line, where I depict urban formations and landscapes, often in a collage-like way. I was inspired by my trip to Japan this spring. I spent time in Tokyo’s Akihabara district, known for its chaotic development. It’s a real melting pot, famous for its abundance of electronics shops and as a haven for video game and anime enthusiasts. While I was there, and throughout Tokyo, I took a lot of photographs. As with many of my projects, I draw from my own documentation — carefully selecting and collaging it and then transferring it onto the stone.
Besides Tokyo itself, were you also inspired by Japanese mentality and visual culture?
Yes, absolutely. Complementing the urban theme, the work features dynamic brushstrokes and simplified drawings that directly evoke the aesthetic of Japanese pop culture's iconic characters. The Japanese are truly unique in this way — in public spaces, from navigation systems to everyday signage, they communicate messages playfully, often using illustrated mascots. These characters’ faces express emotions and convey meaning through their expressions. I loved that, and it naturally found its way into my prints.
What is the idea behind the second print titled Multiface?
That one was deliberately chosen together with Kunsthalle Praha. The theme slightly departs from my usual body of work. I was exploring the idea of the monument. I’ve always been fascinated by sculptures from Eastern Europe and the Balkans. The main motif is a celebratory monument referencing historical events. Behind this multiplied sculpture appears another head. By adding some less coherent content and more abstract elements such as shining stars, planets, and imaginary icons I created myself. Again, I worked in a collage-like manner, and the result has a slightly psychedelic quality.
Do these cities, structures, and energies reflect the kind of place where you’d like to live?
They stem from my own experiences. Multiface comes from within — it was created more intuitively. At the same time, I like when people interpret my works in their own way and find their own personal stories in them. The viewer’s eye travels through the city, getting lost in it, while being watched by this “multiface” along the way.
You're also presenting a unique collaboration with the glass studio Dechem, alongside your prints. How did you approach the process of working with the glass surface for this piece?
I’m thrilled that as part of my new works for Kunsthalle Praha, an amazing collaboration with Dechem also came to life. We met by chance in Hong Kong, where I was exhibiting, and an idea emerged that later evolved into a limited edition of three iconic Bandaska vases, which I covered with my own custom alphabet. To create these large pieces, I used a crushed-glass pigment that was then permanently set by firing it in the kiln. Alongside them, we created a series of smaller Bandaska vases covered with fragments of the city. Working in the glass studio is truly magical — glass is an incredible material.
Discover the full collection created in collaboration with Michal Škapa here.