2022 VISUAL ARTS

 

http://GIRUCKA AGNIESZKA - Boldness of the body

"The exhibition "Boldness of the Body '' is a way. Both artistic and personal process. The creation of the artworks was accompanied by the formation of my views on the issues of broadly understood equality, acceptance and sexuality, as well as getting to know my own corporeality. I hope that walking this path with me will also awaken in you the problems and experiences that accompanied me throughout this process: striving for equality, building self-awareness, getting pleasure and the fight for acceptance and the right to decide about your own body. Some of these topics, even if they are no longer considered taboo, still evoke extreme emotions: shame, shyness, disagreement, indignation or misunderstanding. In my works, I try to somehow reverse these negative associations and transform them into something opposite. In addition, many of the topics I discuss are extremely curent issues: equality, sexual education or abortion law. Through my exhibition, I wanted to show my own position on these issues, as well as invite you and myself to fight for our own beliefs."

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"My exhibition is to explore the topic of freedom, which, despite being a so-called mainstay of Western society, is often perished and dismissed. I was inspired to reflect on this topic by Zehra Dogan, a Kurdish artist, who had been jailed for criticizing the Turkish government in her art. I was obliged to comment on freedom, as sometimes I feel like we are on the verge of losing it. People themselves create new trends and are the guardians of social norms, oftentimes completely useless, even harmful. The topic became more significant nowadays, as we can all observe the onset of humanitarian and economic crises. In almost every country where the situation is worsening, the conditions and incomes of the bottom 10% fall more rapidly, whilst during the ‘better times’ the top 10% do better. These trends combined lead to higher inequality in the long run, and hence, a situation when freedom is a luxury."

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"In my exhibition I decided to explore an experience that connects all living beings, yet it is unique to all participants: parenthood. I was initially attracted to its manifold, often contradictory influence on human wellbeing. For some, being a parent or a child is the utmost blessing, for others, it proves an unbearable conviction. Through my works I am striving to showcase this complexity.
The first works are meant to illustrate the dark sides of parenting troubling Polish citizens. Inspired by numerous protests I have attended recently, the works take on the themes of strict abortion laws and the inability of same-sex couples to adopt children. I chose the works to encourage the viewers to contemplate the issues, by appealing to their empathy. I also craved to showcase the pleasant sides of parenthood. The wire sculpture and the drawing illustrate one of its ideal fundamental features: the care of the parent towards the child. The works show that this affection transcends species in its ability to guide and support the offspring."

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"The artworks I have created for this exhibition explore the theme of new beginnings - itsexamples, accompanying emotions and processes. I hope to push the audience to reflect on theconcepts explored here and institute new ideas and perspectives into their considerations.During the process of creation of this exhibition I was influenced by great artists such as MichaelCheval and Edward Bawden among others. However, the inspiration for the topic of myexhibition came from my own personal contemplations. I have recently turned eighteen, so I amofficially an adult. I am on the verge of graduating high school and starting a totally new chapterin my life, becoming independent. It is a turning point in my life that I have been waiting for aslong as I can remember.But growing up is not the only “new beginning” in our lives. There are many other moments andopportunities that enable us to start over - for the better or for the worse. We can find newbeginnings in our everyday life, small details. We have the power to make changes in our life.We should not wait for “the perfect moment” with our ambitions, dreams, goals because it willnever come. We have to seize the day and try our best with what we have."

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