Young Arts Forum presents an exhibition by Maja Kitajewska: ´´The last one turns off the light´´.
In the world of symbols and hidden meanings.
It´s hard to notice that modern art undergoes a crisis of values, connected with both the condition of today´s man and the more strongly expressed thesis that everything had already been shown. It provokes the search for new forms of expression by artists who more frequently verge on kitsch or even serve it without embarrassment. The artistic work of Maja Kitajewska turns out to be completely special in this context. The artist gets out of the dangerous trend by combining High Art with what is offered by pop culture. By employing specific forms of expression she doesn´t lose the idea of beauty.
The author of works which have the form as an integral part of the message they carry, she enters into a dialogue with the viewer by applying the language of the present reality. The artist proves at the same time that she is self-aware and gifted with confidence and courage. The works in which the lives of pop culture characters are linked by tradition, in which the sequins seem to speak, and the embroidery come to life can only be made by someone who knows the art limits. Moreover, this someone is capable of using them for sheer fun, offering a travel to the world in which a smile hides a deep reflection.
Maja Kitajewska combines with ease and consequence the world of fine art and what we call pop. Is seems she manages to do so not only because of her good techniques and talent, but also thanks to the knowledge of the surrounding world resulting from detailed observation and consumption. She presents her reflections through the form which many times contains an element of surprise, thus breaking standards. In this way she achieves the set goal regarding the viewers.
From Maja Kitajewska´s works we learn she maintains distance from the world in which she lives. She makes use of this trait when trying to evoke joy or induce a serious dialogue. Even when her works seem to be closed and finished, there does exist a door in them through which more curious or patient viewers pass.
Is seems Kitajewska is a unique artist not only in the Polish space. Although her use of sequins may recall Mickalene Thomas, and in short texts completing her work she draws near to lyrical symbolism of the heirs of Rilke, in reality she follows her own way. She applies metaphors in her own fashion, she makes use of a play on words, or she creates reality set in enigmatic picture puzzles, always striving for agreement with contemporary man.
The artistic way, chosen by Maja Kitajewska, is also an attempt to put her name on a list of the artists who give estheticism thought. She gives the impression of joining in the discussion concerning the limits of beauty in art. She poses fundamental questions using allegedly trivial things that in fact carry the rich world of hidden meanings.
Rafał Skwiot
Maja Kitajewska – born in 1986. She graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw at the Faculty of Painting (2005-2011), finished with a diploma with distinction in the atelier of Prof. Wiesław Szamborski. The laureate of the SIEMENS 2011 Prize and of the competition Initiatives ENTRY 2012. She took part in an exhibition Coming Out - The best diplomas of ASP in Warsaw.
The display is open from Monday to Saturday between 12.00-16.00.