Libuše Niklová

Libuše Niklová is one of the icons of Czech design. Her toys and inflatable objects which have influenced several generations of children and adults, have played a key role in the development of modern Czech art in the post-war era. As is often typical, they are widely known but hardly anyone associates them with the personality of Libuše Niklová. The author of the monograph, Tereza Bruthansová, conceived the book as a fascinating overview of the designer’s work, divided chronologically and thematically into three main chapters: “Rubber figures (1954- 1964)”, describing little rubber toys made by Gumotex Breclav; “Accordions and Vernesques” (1963-1967)”, mapping a unique series of toys with accordion-like trunk and a collection of vehicles inspired by Jules Verne’s stories; and “Inflatables (1963-1981)”, presenting inflatable toys, balls, boats, water wheels and lilos. Furthermore, the book includes a chapter about Niklova’s collegues as well as a detailed list of her works.

The book is produced in a bilingual Czech and English edition.