A major retrospective of David Lynch's artwork, titled 'Up in Flames', will open at Prague's DOX Centre for Contemporary Art on June 19, 2025. The exhibition spans Lynch's visual work from the late 1960s to the present, including drawings, lithographs, photographs, and experimental films. Lynch was directly involved in planning the show in 2024, meeting with curator Otto M. Urban to approve the concept and selection of works before his sudden death on January 16, 2025. His estate worked with DOX to reschedule the opening and ensure the exhibition meets his standards.
The retrospective matters because it represents Lynch's final curatorial collaboration and offers a rare, comprehensive view of his visual art practice beyond his celebrated film and television work. The show highlights the continuity of themes across his career and underscores his long-standing connection to Prague, where he recorded soundtracks for several films. It also demonstrates how institutions and estates navigate the challenges of mounting a major exhibition after an artist's death, preserving the integrity of their vision while adapting to unforeseen circumstances.