The exhibition, organized in collaboration with the Elektrownia Mazovian Centre for Contemporary Art in the central Polish city of Radom, is not merely another a tribute to Nowosielski but a broader exploration of Polish art from the second half of the 20th century.
Wojciech Fałkowski, director of the Royal Castle, said that 2023 had been dedicated to Nowosielski, with several major exhibitions across Poland celebrating his work.
He emphasized, however, that this exhibition was unique in focusing on Nowosielski's influence and interaction with other prominent Polish artists of his era, rather than being simply a monographic display of his work.
The exhibition delves into the artistic realms of surrealism, corporeality, eschatology, and abstraction, which were central to Nowosielski's work at various times.
It presents a dialogue between Nowosielski and other notable artists who shared similar themes, such as Wojciech Fangor, Władysław Hasior, and Maria Jarema.
Their works, along with quotes from Nowosielski and historical film materials, provide a rich context for understanding the shared artistic narratives of that period.
Nowosielski developed his own approach that blended the human form, primarily the female body, with abstract elements. His art oscillated between the erotic and the mystical, reflecting a deep engagement with both surrealism and abstraction.
The exhibition, curated by Monika Przypkowska from the Royal Castle and Paweł Witkowski from the Elektrownia, also features an extensive educational program of lectures, workshops and guided tours, offering a comprehensive understanding of Nowosielski's art and its cultural significance.
Nowosielski's artistic journey began in 1940 at the Staatliche Kunstgewerbeschule in Kraków and continued postwar at the Academy of Fine Arts in the southern Polish city.
He was a founding member of the reactivated postwar II Kraków Group in 1957 and later taught at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków.
The exhibition, a nuanced reflection of the "intersection between sacred iconography and material corporeality," as described by art historian and critic Mieczysław Porębski, will run until March 3.
It offers an opportunity to explore the depth and diversity of Polish art in the latter half of the 20th century.
(rt/gs)
Source: IAR, mnk.pl, onet.pl