Cities, Illustrated: Revisiting Miroslav Šašek’s Playful Visions of Place

Description

This is M. Šašek unites rare draft reproductions and selected prints to explore the Czech illustrator’s enduring vision of global cities, such as Hong Kong, Prague and Venice. Drawing from the biography of the same name, the exhibition traces how a trained architect, forced into exile by political turmoil in 1948, transformed his longing for home into a dynamic visual legacy. What began in 1959 with This is Paris evolved into an extraordinary 18-volume series that captured the living rhythm, architectural soul, and witty details of global cities for generations of readers. A tribute section showcases ongoing preservation efforts, including This is Prague, fulfilling Šašek’s lifelong dream to honour his homeland.

Presented by Wyndham Social and the Consulate General of the Czechia in Hong Kong alongside European cultural partners — Alliance Française, Goethe-Institut, Consulate General of Ireland and Italian Cultural Institute, with local creative brand ditto ditto — the exhibition features his loose linework and wry observations, where Hong Kong’s neon signs and harbour views meet icons of Paris and Prague.

During the exhibition, there will also be a series of talk examining connections between Šašek’s iconic portrayal of the city and contemporary interpretations of its people and heritage. Free registrations required.