David Lynch's 'Up in Flames' ignites Prague with 400 unseen artworks

A major exhibition of David Lynch's work has opened at the DOX Centre for Contemporary Art in Prague. Titled 'Up in Flames', it brings together over four hundred pieces from his early experiments to his later years. The show focuses on works on paper, including drawings, photographs, and short films based on his visual art.

The exhibition is housed inside the centre's striking wooden zeppelin, 'Gulliver Airship', designed by Czech architect Martin Rajniš. Its terraced interior features flat surfaces and a gently sloped floor, allowing visitors to sit or walk through the space.

Lynch's first film, 'Six Men Getting Sick', greets visitors at the entrance. The 1967 animated painting shows human organs and faces in states of decay and distortion. Nearby, his 1973 drawing 'Crucifixion' highlights his early fascination with layered textures and the depth of black.

The artist's photographic work also takes centre stage. Many images play with beauty by breaking bodies into fragmented, dramatically lit compositions. Lynch himself approved the project after seeing DOX's 2024 exhibition 'Kafkaesque', which featured some of his lithographs.

The show spans Lynch's entire career, offering a rare look at his visual experiments beyond film. With over four hundred works, it underscores his influence across drawing, photography, and animation. The exhibition remains open to the public at DOX in Prague.