The subject of Tereza Lišková’s diploma thesis is based on the chapter Europa from the book 2010: Odyssey Two by Arthur C. Clarke, in which the crew discovers life outside the ocean on one of Jupiter’s moons, Europa. The artist entitled it after NASA’s expedition planned to explore Jupiter‘ s moons, where ocean life could supposedly really exist. However, this subject serves the thesis as a mere metaphor for images drawing from sci-fi aesthetics.

The series by Lišková is inspired by the 1980s’ science fiction imagery, animation movies (Heavy Metal, The Adventures of Aladár Mézga, Fantastic Planet, and others), raypunk, and fairy-tale illustrations. The large-dimensional oil paintings display fantasy cosmic landscapes inhabited by fictional creatures. The artist fuses two approaches: expressive shortcut and smooth, more elaborate form. The final composition results from associative compilation of individual painting elements that react to each other in the process. The primary underpainting is an environment gradually populated by creatures, signs, and things. Lišková’s work includes her short stories, which complement the atmosphere of the painted scenes.