Zuza Golińska, Rafał Milach and Marcin Nowak – these three artists/photographers are worth following because of their powerful and already internationally recognised projects that respond to the current political situation in Poland and Eastern Europe. From a photo project on the ancient Białowieża Forest through a portrayal of propaganda in post-Soviet countries, to an immersive laser installation on fitting into society. See whom you should know, follow and support.
Zuza Golińska
The laser installation referenced the troubling climate for women in Poland
Based in Warsaw, Zuza Golińska is a young artist who creates site-specific installations and projects dealing with the relationship between humans, public space and architecture.
In January, she was announced as ArtePrize 2017 winner organised by ArteVue and Delfina Foundation, and was awarded a cash prize of US$15,000 and a three-month residency at Delfina Foundation in London. Her work Dead End | Future Twice, was chosen by the judges alongside projects by three other finalists: Sahil Naik (India), Kiah Reading (Australia), and Lukas Zerbst (Germany).
The jury awarded her laser installation ‘Dead End | Future Twice, that simulates the individual’s experience of the labyrinth of borders and structures, for its immersive qualities and relatability. In her acceptance speech she referenced the troubling climate for women in Poland.
“Zuza Golińska’s installation is wholly immersive and impactful. As you walk around ‘Dead End | Future Twice’ you become part of the work and mould into the space. The idea of where you fit in life, in society, in a room, is something that everyone can relate to, and, because Zuza’s art is about interaction with society and the world around you, we believe that being in London for three months will progress her practice immeasurably.”
The ArtePrize has been designed to support young, emerging talent and is open to artists aged 18 to 30 who are not yet represented by an established gallery. Zuza Golińska was selected from 650 applications submitted by a range of international artists, encompassing photography, 2-dimensional works on paper and canvas, and 3-dimensional sculpture.
We will keep you posted about her new commissions and further achievements. Well done and congratulations!
Rafal Milach
Tracing the mechanisms of propaganda
Rafał Milach is one of the four nominees for the Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation Prize 2018. His project/ exhibition entitled Refusal (presented at the Atlas Sztuki Gallery in Łódź/ 2017) was shortlisted alongside projects by photographers Mathieu Asselin, Batia Suter and Luke Willis Thompson.
Refusal is an expansive portrayal of the ubiquitous tactics of government control and propaganda. Milach traces the mechanisms of propaganda and their visual representation in architecture, urban projects and objects, focusing on post-Soviet countries such as Belarus, Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Poland.
The exhibition will be displayed at The Photographers’ Gallery (23 Feb – 3 June 2018, London) and subsequently tour to the MMK Museum für Moderne Kunst in Frankfurt as part of the photo triennal RAY 2018. The winner will be announced at a special award ceremony on 17 May 2018 in London. We are keeping our fingers crossed for Rafał.
The Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation Prize is awarded annually to a living artist of any nationality who has made the most significant contribution, either through an exhibition or publication, to the photography in Europe in the previous year. It is one of the most prestigious prizes in the world of photography.
