What are other surprises? Successes of artists presented at the "Art Now" auction
The artists featured in the "Art Now" auction are also representatives of dynamically evolving creative attitudes. The auction addresses the question of current affairs in the world of the youngest generation of artists and serves as a condensed overview of the most interesting phenomena that have been observed in the Polish art scene in recent times. The successes of these artists include exhibitions, competitions, awards, and scholarships. Many of the creators showcased at the auction can boast of their first achievements, and some of them are rapidly adding more significant accomplishments to their creative resume.
In this context, special attention should be paid to Anna Grzymała and Julia Woronowicz. Their artistic activities are considered some of the most intriguing phenomena in the art of the youngest generation of artists. Anna Grzymała's painting is based on fairy tales written by her, creating a story of an imaginary world as an alternative to the reality that surrounds us. The painting presented at the exhibition belongs to her latest series of works, which was showcased in the spring of 2023 at her solo exhibition, "And the Rivers Will Flow with Date Syrup," at the Galeria Promocyjna in Warsaw.
Anna Grzymała is a finalist in the 20th edition of the Hestia Artistic Journey competition and a was awarded an artistic residency at the International Laboratory of Culture in Sokołowsko in 2021. In the same year, she also received an award from the editorial boards of "NN6T" and "Contemporary Lynx" as well as from Royal Talens in the 10th edition of the painting competition at the University of Fine Arts in Poznań, New Image/New Look. She also participated in the collective exhibition "M jak Młodość" ("Y like Youth") at the State Art Gallery in Sopot and in the 2023 exhibition "Bad Romance" at the Rondo Sztuki in Katowice, where the artists presented works contributing to the young painting collection of mBank. Anna Grzymała, along with Julia Woronowicz, forms the artistic duo "Dwie Osoby" ("Two Persons").
Julia Woronowicz gained attention with her project "Kwiatuszek" ("Little Flower"), which won the 20th edition of the Hestia Artistic Journey competition at the Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw in 2021. The prize was a one-month artistic residency in New York. Julia Woronowicz's creative endeavors revolve around the creation of alternative historical scenarios. As she mentions: "In my recent artistic activities, I refer to history – its regional and folklore versions, national and more universal – with particular emphasis on prehistory, the documentation and facts of which are still the subject of research and debate." Julia Woronowicz has previously exhibited her works in solo exhibitions such as "Żywoty dziewian polnych, leśnych i nadwornych" ("Lives of Field, Forest, and Court Maidens") at the Łęctwo gallery in Poznań and the exhibition "Polska 2410" at the lokal_30 gallery in Warsaw. In addition to the mentioned exhibitions, her works were also presented at the Ki Smith Gallery in New York last year. Julia Woronowicz's paintings are part of the "m jak malarstwo" ("p like painting") mBank collection. The artist's work is an example of a dynamically evolving career. Starting from January next year, Julia Woronowicz will embark on an artistic residency in Japan.
We also recommend paying special attention to the artistic diplomas. Among the most promising artists featured in the "Art Now" exhibition are graduates of the Academy of Fine Arts: Aleksandra Nowicka and Kinga Flasza. Aleksandra Nowicka completed her painting studies at the Warsaw Academy of Fine Arts in the studio of Professor Antoni Starowieyski. Her works involve introspective exploration of her own memory to highlight past feelings, experiences, and associations. By returning to frames from family photo albums, the artist brings the realities of her childhood from the last decade of the previous century closer to the audience. By reconstructing interiors with a distinctive style, she draws on collective, social memory and the concept of "Polishness" that resonates in her paintings, transporting the viewer through time.
The artist is a finalist of the latest, 12th edition of the New Image / New Look competition, where she received a special award from "Contemporary Lynx" magazine. Her works have been featured in both solo and collective exhibitions, including the final of the 47th Biennial of Painting "Salon Zimowy" ("Winter Salon") and at the Promotional Gallery in the exhibition "Gęsia skórka" ("Goosebumps"). Kinga Flasza is a graduate of painting at the Wrocław Academy of Fine Arts in the studio of Professor Norman Smużniak. She was the Grand Prix laureate in the 9th edition of Postawy Competition and a finalist in the 5th edition of Leon Wyczółkowski National Painting Competition and the Young Art IMPULSE Review. She presented her diploma exhibition, "Sny nie są tym, czym się wydają" (Dreams Are Not What They Seem), at the Municipal Gallery in Wrocław.