How a UCalgary student explored their queer Czech identity through undergraduate research

Míša Štorková’s queer and Czech identity always felt at odds, which is what inspired their undergraduate research project. 

“For much of my life, I’ve been told that queerness and Czech-ness cannot exist at the same time; that queerness is something Western infringing on Slavic culture,” says Štorková. “My research has helped me reconcile these two identities.”  

Štorková, fifth-year student in the Department of Art and Art History at the University of Calgary, explains that queerphobia within contemporary Czech culture was inherited from the totalitarian regimes that historically occupied Czechia. 

When Štorková first learned about the queer cultural boom that occurred in the First Czechoslovak Republic during the interwar period, Štorková saw the radical potential of exploring this history.  

“Queer history is such a powerful tool in the contemporary rise of homophobia and transphobia especially.”

“It's really important to look back on history and see that queer people have always been here. It’s not a new concept.”

Their project, funded through the Program for Undergraduate Research Experiences (PURE), is a collection of artwork incorporating materials from Czech queer archives. Through this work, Štorková knit together the cultural traditions passed down to them by family with their exploration of queer identity. 

Štorková applied textile practices taught to them by the women in their family. While always passionate about creating, Štorková didn’t always see themselves as an artist.  

“Art practices that are deemed as craft are female dominated. Textiles are a strong example of that. Its considered domestic labour – women’s work, and therefore its craft. When you knit a sweater, it's not called art,” explains Štorková. 

Throughout the summer, Štorková grew both as a researcher and artist. Their final project culminated in their first solo art show at the Little Gallery and continues to advance their artistic career. Štorková will also exhibit their work in Winnipeg, Manitoba at Aceartinc Art Gallery from March through May.  

Accessible art and future research 

As rewarding as this project was, Štorková describes how inaccessibility impacted their experience. As an ambulatory wheelchair user with fluctuating physical abilities, Štorková constantly negotiates between art and disability. Be it unreliable elevators, heavy studio doors, or the lack of relevant accommodations for different artistic mediums, accessible art is not the norm.  

Inspired by this experience, Štorková will be reapplying for research funding this year for a project related to accessibility within the visual arts. While they were initially nervous about the translation between art and academia, Štorková now encourages other fine arts students to try their hand at research.  

“This experience has really helped me contextualize future works that I’m doing past this project. It’s a really great opportunity for all students, but I would say this is especially true for artists."