London. Photographed on behalf of ACAVA by Zute Lightfoot
bio
Małgorzata Drohomirecka is a visual artist who works in painting, printmaking, and analogue film. She graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk, Faculty of Painting and Graphics in 2006. After completing her master’s degree she moved to London, where she lives and works since.
Her creative development spans from an interest in abstraction to more figurative and symbolic representations. Since an early age, she has been fascinated by the role of signs and symbols in art and their influence on shaping the collective subconscious.
She has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions both in Poland and abroad. Some of her significant solo exhibitions include “Wa(y)st(o)ed Freedom” at Centrala in Birmingham (2021), “Polonia_2020: Culture on the Web” (online project, 2020), “Spider-Phoenix” at Galeria Żak, Gdańsk, Poland (2019), and “Between Analogue and Digital” at The Albert, London (2013). Among other events, she showcased her 16mm film at the New Experimental Film Festival at Apiary Studios, London (2016). In 2014, she co-organized the exhibition “Point of Meeting East” at Latarka Gallery, Budapest, Hungary. In 2007, she participated in the IX Biennale of Drawing and Printmaking in Gyor, Hungary, and in the same year, in the group exhibition “Spring of the Young” at Refektarz Gallery, Kartuzy, Poland.
statement
Malgorzata Drohomirecka’s practice intertwines painting, screen-printing and 16 mm camera-less film.
Between 2010-2015 she created abstract compositions where the rhythm of geometrical and organic forms in bright, bold colours were juxtaposed with hard edged black shapes. In her paintings, screen prints and cameraless 16 mm film playfulness collided with uneasiness to generate dissonance.
Since 2015 Drohomirecka focuses on figurative painting. She appropriates symbols and allegories from historical and religious works of art and collages them with various motives from popular culture.
For instance, in the cycle Polonia_2020 she analyses visual representations of femininity in the iconic 19th-century polish paintings. By engaging with motives from popular films, music videos and stock images, the artist challenges those traditional depictions from a 21st century point of view.
Drohomirecka uses the potential of figurative painting to critique and subvert those cultural symbols and ideologies that impose social roles – whether female or male – in a patriarchal society.
At the moment the compositions for her paintings are based on the small-scale tableaux vivants. It involves working with models wearing black latex costumes, high heel shoes, BDSM masks and other sadomasochistic accessories. Strong, saturated colours and exaggerated contrast between light and dark produce theatrical effect to emphasize the narrative flow of the story.
Sadomasochistic aesthetics are used here as a parodic metaphor for the catholic rituals. The sense of humour eases the discomfort, guilt, and shame that settles in catholic, patriarchal society.
Contact: drohomirecka@gmail.com
Instagram: /małgorzata_drohomirecka