I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for your dedication and support in making the Letters from England and the Art of Observation exhibition possible. This unique experience could not have come together without your commitment and vision, and I am truly grateful.
I would also like to extend my warmest thanks to Her Excellency the Ambassador and the entire Czech Embassy team for their invaluable support. It was such a pleasure to meet and collaborate with Diplomat Milan Jakobec, whose insights and enthusiasm added so much to the event.
Lady Sophie Scruton and Lukas Kroulik, Embassy of the Czech Republic in London. Sir Roger Scruton wrote the Foreword to Karel Čapeks's book Letters from England firstly published in Czechoslovakia in 1924.
Dominic Houlder, Lukas Kroulik, Kate Coe, Prof Nigel Nicolson, Brenda Squire, The Deputy Ambassador Michal Strouhal and Glen Peters (L-R), Embassy of the Czech Republic in London.
Max A Hatter, Veronica Art Curator, Jessica Design Disibility (L-R) with Lukas and his friends, Embassy of the Czech Republic in London
It was a joy to display my work on the "concrete wave", to introduce guests to the remarkable Czech artist Zuzana Dvorská Šípová, and to share Milan Jakobec’s story about the Czech Garden and the sculpture by Václav Vokolek. Through these elements, I felt we connected Czech artists with British artists, art lovers, and collectors, creating a bridge between our creative communities.
Thank you once again for making this all possible. I look forward to future opportunities to celebrate and showcase the vibrant spirit of Czech artistry.
Lukas Kroulik in front of the Czech Garden and the sculpture by Václav Vokolek.
Letters from England and the Art of Observation exhibition video.
In my photographic essay, I style a British biracial artist in handmade garments created by my grandmother, blending my Czech heritage with my experiences in Britain. These garments, lovingly crafted, carry personal and cultural significance, much like the letters my grandmother and I exchanged during my time as an au-pair in England. Through these images, I tell my story of connection across generations and cultures, using the clothes as a visual metaphor for the blending of identities.
Lecture by diplomat MILAN JAKOBEC and a photographic essay "Letters from England and the Art of Observation" by multidisciplinary artist LUKAS KROULIK, Embassy of the Czech Republic in London, 2024.
"Observation is central to both Čapek’s writing and Kroulik’s visual storytelling. This exhibition juxtaposes those intimate exchanges with photographic memories, celebrating how personal observation—whether through letters or images—creates connections across time and space.
These five images, 30x40cm, by a multidisciplinary artist, Lukas Kroulik, emphasize the enduring power of observation in shaping how we document and understand our lives."
Two images by Lukas Kroulik, Embassy of the Czech Republic in London, 2024.
Jim Rokos, Diplomat Milan Jakobec, Lukas Kroulik and Michal Žižlavský Third Secretary - Political Section (L-R), Embassy of the Czech Republic in London, 2024.
Milan Jakobec’s book Bohemia a Albion: captures his experience as a Czech diplomat in London during the transformative 1990s. Through a lighthearted and insightful lens, Jakobec weaves anecdotes and reflections on Czech-British relations, recounting his diplomatic work in an era that saw unique historical moments, such as President Václav Havel’s significant rapprochement with the UK, the Czech national team’s journey to the UEFA final at Wembley, and Princess Diana’s tragic passing. His writing, both engaging and richly informative, offers readers a unique window into the complexities and cultural exchanges of the time.
During his recent appearance at the Czech Embassy in London, Jakobec spoke passionately about his work and also shared his appreciation for Lukas Kroulik’s photographic essay The Art of Observation. Inspired by the essay’s intimate portrayal of one day with Kroulik’s grandmother Hana, Jakobec remarked on how the project captures the essence of personal history reimagined, a sentiment that aligns beautifully with his own reflections on identity and cultural heritage.
Image by Lukas Kroulik, Bohemian Crystal Glass Vases by Jim Rokos, Embassy of the Czech Republic in London, 2024.
Bohemian Crystal Glass Vase by Jim Rokos, image by Lukas Kroulik, Embassy of the Czech Republic in London, 2024.
Industrial designer Jim Rokos and musician Naomi Tsai, Embassy of the Czech Republic in London, 2024.
Lukas Kroulik’s collaboration with industrial designer Jim Rokos highlights their shared Eastern Bohemia heritage and their University of the Arts London connection. When Jim Rokos sought a glassmaker for his Gauge vase, his choice of Harrachov glassworks—a historic factory in the Giant Mountains—reflects a deep connection to his Czechoslovakian roots. The glassworks produced the vase using traditional methods, which resonate with both Jim’s heritage and the shared cultural influences between him and Lukas. This collaboration merges their creative paths with personal histories, highlighting a shared appreciation for craft and culture.
Diplomat Milan Jakobec
Dr Hana Navratilova from Oxford University
Influencer Zen Aqeel
Supporters of the Arts and Culture
Consultant Ryan Hargreaves, MBA (middle)
Photographer Markéta Luskačová
Michal Žižlavský Third Secretary - Political Section
Painter Helenka Jankurova
Jim Rokos and Ruzena Holub representing the BCSA
Many thanks to my creative friends for their support, namely; Naomi, Anna-Marie and Zen (L-R).
The foreword by Sir Roger Scruton in Letters from England, highlights the deep humanism and keen observational style of Karel Čapek, Embassy of the Czech Republic in London, 2024.
Special Thanks to
Her Excellency Marie Chatardová, The Ambassador of the Czech Republic
Michal Žižlavský, Third Secretary (Political Section-Press, Public Diplomacy and Culture)
Karel Čapek (1890-1938) was a Czech writer, playwright, critic and journalist. He has become best known for his science fiction, including his novel War with the Newts and play R.U.R., which introduced the word robot.
How the handmade Czech dresses made an impact on the debutantes at the London Season’s Berkeley Dress Show curated by Lukas Kroulik.
Sustainability and Slow Fashion – from Bohemia to London, Curated by Lukas Kroulik.
Lukas Kroulik is an Anglo-Czech, London-based multidisciplinary artist whose creative journey resonates with all of us who cherish the power of nature, family, and values passed down through generations. Growing up in the Czech Republic, the love, care, and creativity he observed in his grandmother Hana’s everyday life, especially in their family garden, reflects the special places where we find connection to nature and a sense of belonging. These experiences shaped his personal style in fashion and photography and laid the foundation for his awareness art, which focuses on sustainability and climate action.
Lukas’ climate-themed image Left Behind was exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition in 2022, continuing his exploration of these vital themes. His dedication to storytelling through visual art was also highlighted in his 2018 fashion photography exhibition Bohemian Style Live at the Keith Ewart Chelsea Studio. Through his work, Lukas invites all of us to reflect on how our everyday actions can contribute to a more sustainable and caring world, reminding us that nature and community are deeply intertwined.
Together, we can embrace this journey of reflection, connection, and meaningful action for the future.
