Collection

Radek Szlaga

They Fouled

2010, oil, canvas, 120 × 90 cm

While issues of painting remain the theme of many works by Radek Szlaga, rarely are they explored in a form as direct as in They Fouled. The interior of the decorative ornament—traditionally left to the content proper—has been filled with the colour white superimposed on the painting’s underlying layers, the tabula rasa of any painter, a suggestion of untouched canvas. Hens represent folk culture, unaffected by the overproduction of meanings and needs of contemporary times. This particular element of the painting may also refer to the movement of animalistic renditions, quite frequent in Szlaga’s oeuvre. Reflection on painting and the cultural roots of the medium interweaves with art history textbook motifs.

Radek Szlaga

b. 1979, Gliwice

Painter, creator of installations and objects. A graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Poznań, he co-founded the group Penerstwo. His work is a collection of musings on the image of the contemporary world, a place where notions and culture merge. Raised in two realities—Polish and American—he confronts the hopes of early Polish capitalism with the apocalyptic vision of a fallen American city. His characters are both real and fictitious, often as not socially marginalised, such as residents of rural areas or black people. He is inspired by literature and cinematography, but also by the internet and art history. Nominated for the Polityka Passport Award (2012). He lives and works in Detroit and Brussels.

b. 1979, Gliwice

Painter, creator of installations and objects. A graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Poznań, he co-founded the group Penerstwo. His work is a collection of musings on the image of the contemporary world, a place where notions and culture merge. Raised in two realities—Polish and American—he confronts the hopes of early Polish capitalism with the apocalyptic vision of a fallen American city. His characters are both real and fictitious, often as not socially marginalised, such as residents of rural areas or black people. He is inspired by literature and cinematography, but also by the internet and art history. Nominated for the Polityka Passport Award (2012). He lives and works in Detroit and Brussels.

I agree to the processing of data in accordance with the Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please disable cookies in your browser. More →

Changes to the Privacy Policy


In accordance with the legal requirements imposed by the Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council (EU) 2016/679 of 27 April 2016 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data and repealing of the Directive 95/46/WE, a new Privacy Policy applies on this Website, which contains all information regarding the collection, processing, and protection of personal data of users of this Website.

Furthermore, we remind you that for the correct operation of the website we use information stored in cookie files. You can change the cookies settings in the settings of your browser. If you do not agree to the use of cookies on this Website, please change the settings in your browser or leave the Website.

Privacy Policy