Visual Arts

Mirror Reflections
Photo Exhibition

‘Other cultures are a mirror upon which we reflect ourselves… we can’t fully comprehend our identity until we are confronted with that of another’ – once wrote Ryszard Kapuściński, journalist, cultural commentator and Polish national treasure, who for many years travelled the earth, documenting the way of life he experienced in countless countries.

It is in this vein that we invite you on a journey… to see the world through the keen eyes of a group of Polish photographers: Daniel Lauda, Marcin Grabowiecki and Dawid Nabiałek. Like Kapuściński, the group ask: what do these perspectives say about ourselves and where we are from? The subject is the world and the images are vivid, personal images taken from journeys through several countries, including a bike trip through Scotland with a tipi tent...

As part of the ‘Mirror Reflections’ exhibition, there will be a backdrop of new artwork curated by www.digart.pl. This is a vital Polish portal which champions and enables the self-publishing of artwork, such as: graphic art, photography, drawing and painting. Digart is accessible to both professionals and amateurs, where a community of members are online to lend advice & discuss the work.

Exhibition curated by Dorota Gaszczak.

Opening Celebration: 21 April 7.00 pm
Date: 22–26 April
Time: 10.00 am – 10.00 pm
Venue: Art’s Complex, St. Margaret’s
Tickets: Free Event

It’s my place
Project Exhibition & Workshop Taster

Following on from the success of last year's “It’s my Place” community project at Craigmiller Art Centre, an exhibition of new work by young Polish artists living in Scotland is being exhibited. The team hopes the show will help spark a fresh collaboration with the community. The audience will be invited to take part in a taster of last year's workshops by making a print of their hands in glass!

The “It’s my Place” project brought the local community together with talented and energetic Polish artists living in Scotland to explore a variety of art techniques and produce collective work under the theme of place. The group is comprised of professional artists with community outreach experience and emerging artists with this a specific focus.

Event organised by ‘It’s my place’ Scottish Polish Cultural Association. Curated by Goshka Bialek and Wojciech Zychowicz.

Opening Celebration: 20 April 7.00 pm
Date: 21 April – 2 May
Time: Mon–Sat 10.00 am – 8.00 pm
Venue: Out of The Blue Drill Hall
Tickets: Free event

Polish Art Scotland
Modern Art Exhibition – oil paintings on canvas.

Maja Muciek, Michał Jankowski, Seweryn Swacha, Rafał Wilk and Jarek Jeschke are Fine Art graduates from the Zielona Góra University. Despite deciding not to leave Poland, emigration affects them indirectly, as many of their friends and family members have emigrated. Their work is a letter from far away, written to those that are absent. Exhibition organised by Polish Art Scotland curated by Mateusz Jarza i Wojciech Kozlowski. Opening Celebration: 22 April 7.00 pm

Date: 23 – 26 April
Time: 1.00 pm – 6.00 pm
Venue: The Bowery (Tower)
Tickets: Free event

NEW

Paper cut-outs (WYCINANKI)- workshops for free

Malgorzata Belkiewicz

Małgorzata Belkiewicz is a modern artist, enthusiastic about and inspired by cut-outs. Her works are elaborate, artistic and individual in design. In collections presented by Małgorzata Belkiewicz one can find:
- traditional cut-outs related to former patterns
- cut-outs inspired by folk art
- her own authorship

Małgorzata Belkiewicz is a teacher and an educator. Having classes, she passes on children and teenagers her aesthetic sensitivity, skills and a passion for creating unusual things which make our everyday life more pleasant.

Her works were presented in exhibitions, shows, festivals and handicraft trainings not only for children and teenagers but also for adults and pensioners. Nowadays, cut-outs by Małgorzata Belkiewicz, thanks to elaborate rendition, traditional and modern ornament, remain work of art. They're appreciated by other artists, jewelry designers, who are inspired by folk culture. For instance, the pattern of a cut-out has been used to design the Polish building EXPO 2010 in Shanghai.

Cutting out is for Małgorzata a great satisfaction, passion, joy and pleasure, especially, when is shared with others.

You can meet Malgorzata Belkiewicz at:

Medieval Tournament and Market
Time: 10am- 3pm
25 April 2009 Leith Links Park, Edinburgh

And

Workshops at Forest Cafe
26 April 2009

Time: 3pm-5.30pm
The Forest Cafe
3 Bristo Square
Edinburgh, EH8 9AL (map)