Artit recently had the chance to catch up with Katarzyna Piórek, a dynamic visual artist who merges traditional art forms like painting and drawing with modern media, such as video installations and moving images. Piórek participated in one of Artit's collaborative projects, Turning the Tide (TTT), securing a spot for the initiative's International Art Residency opportunity in Gdansk, in June 2024.

In this interview, Katarzyna opens up about her passion for blending classic techniques with contemporary methods to create art that pushes boundaries and sparks meaningful conversations. She shares her creative journey, insights from her TTT residency, and how art can address urgent global issues like climate change.

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Explain the allure of art in your life. Why art, among all other mediums of expression?

Art has always held a special significance for me because it allows me to express what is often difficult to put into words. Through art, we communicate emotions nonverbally, drawing on the cultural codes from which we emerge. In a world where many aspects of our lives are governed by norms and rules, art offers unique visual meanings, symbols, and aesthetics. This is why art provides me with a space for exploration, freedom, and authenticity. The freedom to create and the ability to communicate through visual forms make art the most important medium of expression for me.

Share your thoughts on pursuing a creative career, despite potential risks, versus more conventional career paths.

Choosing an artistic career, despite the risks associated with financial instability and job insecurity, is a decision I have never regretted. Creative paths allow for continuous growth, the discovery of new perspectives, and self-expression in ways that work in more conventional fields rarely do. Although this choice comes with certain challenges, I believe it is worth taking the risk to pursue one’s passion.

Describe your artistic process from conception to completion. Did you know what you wanted to create for Turning the Tide’s Gdansk International Residency from the get-go? Thinking about the development of your project what similarities and what differences can you spot if you compare your initial idea to the finished piece?

My artistic process is highly fluid and evolves significantly from conception to completion. When I began my project for the Turning the Tide - Gdańsk International Art Residency, I had a broad idea but no fully formed vision of the final outcome. The residency provided a unique opportunity to immerse myself in the local context, which profoundly influenced my work.

 

One of the most surprising aspects was the chance to install my four-channel video piece on the historic walls of the Radunia Canal. This unexpected element became a central feature of the final work, adding depth and significance that I had not initially anticipated.

 

As the project progressed and I engaged more deeply with Gdańsk’s cultural and historical aspects, my initial concept underwent substantial changes. This immersion allowed me to incorporate new insights and elements that were not part of the original plan.

 

Comparing my initial idea to the finished piece, you can see both similarities and differences. While the core themes and messages remained consistent, the final work was enriched by specific local influences and unexpected elements, such as the site-specific installation on the Radunia Canal walls. The project evolved to reflect a deeper connection with the place and its history, which became an integral part of the final piece.

 

Participation in the residency was not just about executing a specific artistic project but also an intense process of discovery, learning, and adaptation. The transformation of my concept at each creative stage illustrates the importance of adapting to new inspirations and influences brought by local contexts. This experience emphasises how art is a process of continuous evolution, with every interaction and discovery contributing to the enrichment of the final result.

Tell us more about your participation in Turning The Tide x Gdansk. Did you have a personal connection to the subjects which influenced your decision to apply and participate?

My decision to participate in the Turning The Tide x Gdańsk Residency was deeply motivated by the desire to collaborate with artists working across various fields and my interest in engaging with the scientific community. This combination allowed us to view our work from new perspectives and reassess our thinking. Additionally, Gdańsk’s cultural heritage and diversity perfectly complemented my desire to participate in the residency. The theme of "Turning the Tide" is extremely important to me; I often wonder whether we can make a meaningful impact on ecology and the changes already underway and whether we still have a role to play. This made my participation in the residency particularly significant.

What has been the most surprising or moving takeaway from your interaction and collaboration with the local communities of Gdansk?

The most surprising and moving aspect of my collaboration with the local communities in Gdańsk was the deep sense of communal awareness among the residents. In Sopot, we visited the remarkable Goyki 3 Art Incubator, where amazing initiatives are taking place. In this institution, young people even keep bees in the heart of the city, approaching their work with care for others and respect for nature, while organising cultural events and residencies. Their commitment and willingness to share their stories created an emotional connection that profoundly impacted my work.

 

It was particularly moving to discover how local experiences and daily life shape the residents' values and attitudes. Collaborating with local artists and community members enriched my creative process and highlighted the power of art as a bridge connecting different perspectives.

 

This experience underscored the importance of community in the creative process and deepened my appreciation for art's role in building connections and understanding across diverse contexts.

How important is it to connect to different cultures and engage with different communities? If you could choose to live anywhere in the world, where would it be and how does this location connect to your art?

Connecting with different cultures and engaging with diverse communities is crucial for personal and artistic growth. Immersing oneself in various cultural contexts broadens perspectives, enhances empathy, and provides fresh inspiration. Such experiences allow artists to discover new ideas, challenge established norms, and incorporate diverse influences into their work, leading to more innovative and impactful art. I enjoy being surprised and pushed out of my comfort zone. However, when choosing a culture that is vastly different from your own, it’s important to remain highly observant and sensitive to its nuances.

 

If I could choose anywhere in the world to live, I would select Tokyo, Japan. Tokyo’s captivating blend of tradition and modernity provides a unique backdrop that aligns perfectly with my artistic interests. The city’s rich history combined with contemporary trends creates an inspiring contrast that motivates creativity. Living in Tokyo would allow me to immerse myself in a culture known for its precise attention to detail and its harmonious integration of past and present. This environment would significantly influence my work, enabling me to incorporate elements of Japanese aesthetics and philosophy into my art.

What role do you believe art plays in addressing global issues such as climate change, and how do you see your TTT work contributing to this dialogue?

Art plays a crucial role in addressing global issues like climate change by raising awareness, inspiring action, and deepening understanding of complex issues. Through its ability to engage emotions and provoke reflection, art can communicate the urgency of environmental challenges in ways that raw data and statistics often cannot.

 

In my work on the "Equilibrium" project during the "Turning the Tide" residency, I aimed to contribute to this dialogue by creating pieces that reflect the impact of climate change and encourage viewers to reconsider their relationship with the environment. My approach integrates local contexts and global themes, as well as personal references, to highlight the connections between environmental issues. By showcasing the effects of climate change in the context of specific communities and ecosystems, I hope to spark conversations and inspire collective action.

 

My project employs visual and conceptual elements to explore how climate change affects both natural landscapes and human experiences. By making these impacts visible and personal, I seek to underscore the importance of sustainable practices and environmental stewardship. Through this creative process, I aim to engage audiences in a meaningful dialogue about their role in addressing these critical global challenges.

How crucial is it for your audience to grasp the message behind your artwork? Do you create with a specific message in mind, and how do you gauge its reception? 

Understanding the message behind my artwork is important, but not the sole measure of success. I create with specific messages in mind, to provoke thought and encourage dialogue. I gauge reception through audience feedback, critical reviews, exhibition interactions, and personal reflection. While clear communication is key, diverse interpretations and personal connections also enhance the artwork's impact.

If you could pick only one theme/subject to continue exploring and raising awareness about through your research and creative practice, what would that be and why?

If I could choose only one theme to continue exploring and raising awareness about through my creative practice, it would be climate change. This topic is deeply connected to many aspects of human life and the natural environment, presenting urgent and complex challenges that require broad attention and innovative solutions.

 

Art can play a crucial role in visualising these abstract and often overwhelming concepts, making them more accessible and emotionally engaging. Continuing to work on this theme aims to inspire action, build understanding, and emphasise the importance of environmental stewardship on both local and global scales.

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As we wrap up our conversation, it's apparent that Katarzyna Piórek's creative practice offers a unique link between the timeless and the cutting-edge, as she continues to explore ways in which art can inspire action and make a difference. Katarzyna's work not only captivates the viewer visually but also challenges diverse audiences to rethink their relationship with the world around them.

As Piórek looks toward the future, her passion for art’s ability to drive awareness and dialogue around issues that matter is not to be questioned! We can't wait to see where her artistic journey leads next.