THOMAS SVOBODA - PHOTOGRAPHER

Born on March 26, 1963 in Karlovy Vary, Czechoslovakia.
In 1976 he immigrates in the Netherlands and settles in Amsterdam. After his studies at the Art school in The Hague, with a major in experimental film, he accidentally ends up in Perth, Australia, where he spends one year.

Upon his return to the Netherlands, he tirelessly continues to travel to the most remote areas of Africa and Asia. He cooperates with the Dutch state television and regional Amsterdam television network.

In 1993 he returns to Prague. As a photojournalist alongside former President Vaclav Havel and former Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus, he assists several State Visits (ex. India, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, the Holy See, Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, China, Japan). He contributes with his photographs to several magazines in the Czech Republic. At this time he creates the documentary “Vaclav Havel traveling”.

He moves to Paris in 1996 and works for the renowned agency Gamma. His series of photographs from Africa, New Guinea and Mexico, or of Spanish fiestas are published across the world. In the year 2000 he returns to live and work in Prague. He has two sons.
Between 2004-2005 works as a personal photographer of President of the Czech Republic Václav Klaus covering his State Visits.

In 2006 lives and works as a freelance photographer in Prague and Stockholm.
2011 moves back to Prague, where he works as a photographer and a independent photo journalist.
Between 2015 -2020 works as a foreign editor at the main Czech newspaper MfD.
Since 2020 freelance working in Prague.
Has two sons.

PUBLICATIONS - AWARDS & EXHIBITIONS

PUBLICATIONS/MONOGRAPHS

Thomas Svoboda – ,,The infinite beauty of decay“, Leonardo s.r.o.,Prague, 2016
Thomas Svoboda – ,,Celebrations“ , Photoart  Prague, 2008
Thomas-Svoboda – ,,Opus Vivendi“, Helios exprint S.A., 2000

AWARDS

1996 Winner of the prestigious contest Photographs on CD-ROM, CD-Photobler, Prague
1994  Golden token as a sign of gratitude of her Majesty the queen of Thailand Sirikit.
2016  Honorable mention from his excellency Borys Zajchuk Ambassador od Ukraine,
         for organizing a photographic  exhibition ,,Chernobyl, 30 years after the disaster“ 

 

INDIVIDUAL EXHIBITIONS (the most important ones)

2016 ,,Chernobyl, 30 years after the disaster“, State office for nuclear safety, Prague, Czech republic

2015 ,,India”, Bombay Bar Prague, Czech Republic

2011 “The Infinite Beauty Of Decay”, Czech cultural center, Stockholm, Sweden

2009 “The Sound Of Silence”, Museum of Photography, Sundsvall, Sweden
“The Sound Of Silence”, Hotel Klockargarden, Tällberg, Sweden
“The Sound Of Silence”, slideshow, Peace and Love Rock Festival, Sweden
“Czech landscape”, Skara Cathedral, Sweden

2008 “Czech landscape”, Czech Tourism, Cafe Opera, Stockholm, Sweden

2007 “Czech landscape through the eyes of Thomas Svoboda”, Czech cultural center, Rome, Italy

2006 “Woman of Northern Korea”, National gallery, Prague, Czech republic
“Václav Havel travelling”, Czech cultural center, Warsaw, Poland

2005 “Colours of Life”, Czech Cultural Centre, Moscow, Russia
“Colours of Life”, Jindřišská Tower, Prague, Czech republic

2003 “Colours of Life”, Zamek Kultury, Poznan, Poland
“Papua New Guinea”, Interkamera, Prague, Czech republic
“People from Sahara”, Náprstkovo muzeum, Prague, Czech republic
2002 “India”, Gallery Cerná Labut, Prague, Czech republic

2001 “Spain, Spain!”, Gallery Leica, Prague, Czech republic


1999 “Southern Algeria”, Algerian Cultural Center, Paris, France

1998 “Photographs”, Hotel Sofitel, Algers, Algeria
“Experimental Works”, Gallery le Pont Neuf, Paris, France

1996 “Václav Havel Traveling”, Czech Center, Moscow, Russia
“Václav Havel Traveling”, Czech Center, Kiev, Ukraine

GROUP EXHIBITIONS (the most important ones)

2011 “Spare time”, National gallery, Veletrzni palac, Prague, Czech republic
2008 International Triennial of Contemporary Art, National gallery, Prague, Czech Republic
2005 “Colours of Life”, Gallery Mistec, Kiev, Ukraine
1994 “Czech Photography 1989-94”, Gallery Manes, Prague
1992 “Czechoslovak Photography in Exile”, Gallery Manes, Prague
1991 “Gkf”, Stedelijk museum, Amsterdam
1983 “Portraits”, Gallery Adrian van der Haeve, Amsterdam