The ways and consciousness of photographic imaging are changing at the speed of a blink of an eye. This is our reality, the image of contemporaneity, which, however, draws inspiration from what has passed. The exhibition "Alchemy and Scissors" is a journey through time, a reflection on what can and should become a source of reflection on our condition, but also a source of inspiration for those who navigate the world of photography. Jerzy Wardak, whose creativity and techniques will be evoked during the exhibition, was a master of classic photomontage. The roots of this arduous art reach back to the interwar avant-garde, and he himself represented the new avant-garde trends in Polish photography after World War II. The late artist, who passed away in 2022, was one of the last members of the legendary group "ZERO-061," which had a tremendous impact on photographic strategies in the second half of the 20th century. After the artist's death, the Museum of Photography acquired several iconic works from the heyday of the "ZERO-61" group, as well as many valuable artifacts and mementos, which will be on display at the exhibition. The exhibition, which aims to commemorate the work of Jerzy Wardak, will also provide a better understanding of the artist's techniques.
Jerzy Wardak (born in 1938 in Świdwin, died in 2022 in Toruń) graduated from the "Photography" department at the Fine Arts High School in Gdynia Orłowo in 1953. In 1961, he completed his Teacher Training Studies - Faculty of Drawing and Handicrafts in Gdańsk. In the same year, he began his studies at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń. During his studies, he became a co-founder of the artistic group "ZERO-61". As a member of the group, he created a series of works using the technique of classic photomontage. He graduated in 1965 and the following year he became a member of the Kujawsko-Pomorski District of the Polish Association of Artistic Photographers. He was a member of ZPAF until 2012. He participated in many individual and group exhibitions, both national and international, winning numerous medals, awards, distinctions, diplomas, and congratulatory letters. From 1980 to 1987, he actively participated in photographic plein-airs and post-plein-air exhibitions. His works can be found in museum collections (including the Museum of Photography at the Higher School of Economics in Bydgoszcz, the Center for Contemporary Art "Znaki Czasu" in Toruń) and private collections.
Curator: Marta Rosenthal-Sikora
Coordination: Marek Noniewicz
After the vernissage, at 5:00 PM, analog photomontage workshop will take place.
Exhibition opening hours:
Wednesday - Friday; 11.00 AM - 5.00 PM
Saturday; 10.00 AM - 2.00 PM