The Foundation Prize

 

This year's ING Polish Art Foundation Main Prize, awarded during Warsaw Gallery Weekend, went to Joanna Rajkowska for her exhibition and film Night Herons at Lokal_30 gallery.

 

^{From left: Agnieszka Rayzacher (Lokal_30), Joanna Rajkowska. Fot. Maria Kniaginin-Ciszewska}

„The film Night Herons by Joanna Rajkowska, created in collaboration with Robert Yerachmiel Snidermandelves, delves into the complex relationship between humans, animals, nature and non-human beings. In a series of different episodes, it strikingly but calmly depicts the cycles of death and killing, life and protection. 

 Although Night Herons is set in the past, the film addresses urgent issues such as migration, war, displacement and human fates, using masterfully crafted puppets to visualize the recurring themes of history in a captivating almost unsettling way.

 The jury was deeply moved by the film’s intensity and relevance. With our decision we aim to inspire other collectors to support complex, challenging, yet brilliant works like this one.”

 

The jury awarded two Special Prizes.

 

First mention went to Karolina Balcer and Michalina Kacperak for their exhibition Ouch in the Jednostka gallery.

 

^{From left: Katarzyna Sagatowska (Jednostka), Karolina Balcer and Michalina Kacperak. Fot. Maria Kniaginin-Ciszewska}

„For bravery in fighting for both the family and themselves, and for their place within the family. For original and truthful addressing alcoholism and depression. For their courage in standing up for the truth.

The exhibition is a double-voice of the artists Karolina Balcer and Michalina Kacperak about life in a family affected by trauma – including the crisis of her brother's homelessness and her father's alcoholism, as well as the co-dependence of their loved ones."

 

The second Special Prize was awarded to the Łęctwo gallery by Przemek Sowiński, Gabriela Skrzypczak, Jolanta Kania, for the Near Dark 2 exhibition that showcased works by Eliza Chojnacka, Klaudia Figura, Konrad Gubała, Czaro Malinkiewicz, Paweł Marcinek, Przemysław Piniak, Zuza Piekoszewska, Maria Pietras, Maryna Sakowska, Mikołaj Sobotka, Bartosz Zaskórski.

 

^{Fot. Maria Kniaginin-Ciszewska}

"The second special prize goes to the gallery for their showcasing strong position and fresh perspective and creating an entry point for the young generation of artists, who are able to easily and in an open manner speak about personal everyday issues.

Directness and courage in crafting a message about issues that may be difficult for other generations."

 

The Foundation's prize is awarded by an international jury, recognizing artistic individuals working in Poland whose work is distinguished by the relevance of its topics and an interesting view of contemporary art.  

Jury's composition is fixed and consists of foreign curator invited to explore the Polish art scene; a private contemporary art collector; an expert person representing a Polish public institution, and two representatives of the Foundation.

 

This year's jury:

• Christina Lehnert, curator at the Kunsthalle Baden-Baden
• Justyna Szylman, interim director of Zachęta – National Gallery of Art
• Marcin Studniarek, contemporary art collector and OBJEKT gallery co-owner
• Anna Golka and Joanna Waśko, the ING Polish Art Foundation representatives

 

The works awarded the Main Prize enter the Foundation's collection via purchase. The Special Prize is an honorable mention in the form of a financial award.