Anna Kołodziejczyk in Szewska Gallery

The exhibition presenting the work of the painter associated with Wrocław will last until May 13.

Anna Kołodziejczyk’s works presented in the reportage at Galeria Szewska come from several series; they are mostly paintings featured at her last individual exhibition entitled What Grows Out of the Ruins, held in the Old Town Hall of the City Museum in Wrocław. The thread of historical chalices and crystal goblets from the former glassworks in the Giant Mountains can be observed here too (Fragile series). The motif of ornament has always been present in the artist’s practice as an addition to grander themes, treated by her as a warm-up exercise in working with the theme of classical beauty.

fot. Małgorzata Kujda

“The photographs were taken in a painting studio located in Krzyki in Wrocław. I would like to stay here as long as possible, because of both the beautiful light and the soothing view of the nature surrounding the studio, gardens and old trees that I can see from the terrace,” the artist says.

Among the subjects raised by Anna Kołodziejczyk in her painting are architectural ruins, including contemporary ones. Focusing mainly on European architecture, especially on the collapse of the idea of ​​classical European architecture at the turn of the 20th century, she asks whether historical architecture, including its impressive interiors, can still provide an appropriate setting for modern life.

fot. Małgorzata Kujda

The artist also addresses the notion of aesthetics in Japanese architecture (In Praise of Shadows series) and the architecture of ancient Egypt, especially the tombs of ancient rulers. Kołodziejczyk focuses on the interiors and facades of buildings that could be viewed as a specific encyclopaedia of past styles. The artist’s painting reveals her interest in the influence of architecture and design on the mental condition of man. To quote Alain de Botton, buildings speak of democracy or aristocracy, openness or arrogance, welcome or threat, a sympathy for the future or a hankering for the past.

fot. Małgorzata Kujda

Szewska Gallery
Szewska 27, 50-139 Wrocław

fot. Małgorzata Kujda

Anna Kołodziejczyk

Painter, lecturer at the E. Geppert Academy of Art and Design in Wrocław.

In 1999–2005 she studied painting at the Faculty of Painting and Sculpture of the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow and Wrocław. Laureate of the SILESIA Cultural Award of the Lower Silesian Regional Assembly (2021), winner of the Award of the Mayor of Wrocław in the E. Geppert Painting Competition (2007).

Her works are mostly oil paintings. Since 2010 she has been working with the subject of architectural ruin, especially in the context of the collapse of the idea of ​​classical European architecture at the turn of 20th century. Since 2008 she has also co-curated SURVIVAL, a review of contemporary art in the public space of Wrocław.