MUNTHE ART MONDAY: KATARINA JANECKOVA

Please introduce yourself and tell us about what you do.

Hi friends of Munthe & all. I was born in Slovakia where I grew up, and was later studying the art~painting. When I was finishing my masters, I met my Texan husband. Living in Corpus Christi, Texas over 12 years was very formative to my art practice.

At first I had a difficult time connecting with the culture and finding my inspiration, but working so hard for it taught me a lot about myself. It solidified what feels important to me to express in my art, my life and taught me how the art can speak up against the inequalities or injustices of others.

Katarina is wearing the ROXAS KNIT from our Pre Spring 2026-collection.

Can you name some other female (curators, gallery owners or women in the arts) that inspires you and explain why they do so?

There are many artists inspiring me in many ways. Mostly by being unapologetic, authentic, bold, speaking up for themselves and others, such as Sahana Ramakrishnan, Rebecca Goyette, Apolonia Sokol, Ambera Wellman, Mira Schor, Mary Frank, Hend Samir, Malak Mattar and many others. I love thinking of Katherine Bradford, as a proof that art is always in us, sometimes resting dormant, as she was being a wonderful mom to her twins, until she became such star in her 80ties, being able to paint all day and support many young artists around her. I feel hopeful and grateful for the existence and activism of Nan Goldin, Sinnead O’Connor. Exhibitions of Louise Burgoeis and Alice Neel brought me to tears many times with their effortless yet masterful way they observe the world. I love Frida, Leonor Fini and Toyen too. As I get older I can appreciate folk and indigenous art more and more, as to me it’s carrying some of the most important messages about the humanity and ways to preserve our earth, nature and values.

What would you like people to notice in your artwork?

I love when people notice the looseness, feet and handprints of my children, the nature that became part of the art when painting outside, the imperfections, the joys and sorrows we share as collective and as women and mothers…I also appreciate hearing people’s perspectives and the ways my art can intertwine with their own stories.

Could you explain more about how being a woman has affected your career?

I think being a woman offers incredibly rich range of life experiences, and so many ways to examine our womanhood on a very personal yet universal level. The journey of becoming aware of the magic and power we carry as life-givers and nurturers is very exciting and empowering, I feel like I am still at the beginning of it.

What has been the most challenging aspect of being a woman in the arts?

I feel like the art world is becoming more inclusive and supportive of women and mothers, but it’s still very often only for the “lucky ones”. There is still a need for being vocal about the pay gaps, under representations, parenthood-gender-racial stereotype conflicts. To be completely honest, there are so many catastrophes happening in the world right now-as lives and rights of the indigenous people. trans people, black communities, immigrants - are hanging on a threat, that any challenges in the art world I am experiencing as a white woman became secondary to me.