An exhibition by Sopot artist Katarzyna Swiniarska, a graduate of the Faculty of Painting and Graphic Arts at the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk, will be held at the Długa Gallery (BOK-MCC). The exhibition refers to two artistic events. The first is the 1999 art billboard Anna Janczyszyn-Jaros with the same title; the second is Lars von Trier’s film “Antichrist”.
“Ten years ago, I noticed an art billboard entitled ‘We Are Horrible’,” Swinarska explains the title of the exhibition. “It showed a photograph of three young, ashamed women. I understood it as a summary of the position of women in Polish Catholic society, always placed in opposition to the figure of the Virgin Mary. Compared with her, we are defiled, dirty and guilty,” the artist adds.
The exhibition’s second inspiration, Lars von Trier’s film “Antichrist”, brings together images close to the artist. She loves, feels, understands and cries, while he judges, pities, and is arrogant and patronizing.
“In the second half of the film, the action suddenly changes dramatically,” the painter says. “She sees that she is no longer merely a humiliated victim, but can also be malicious, vengeful and evil—and finds her strength in this. In this context, the phrase ‘we are horrible’ takes on a new meaning for me. When a woman stops explaining or justifying her sins, when she simply and boldly states that she is horrible, only then does she gain freedom,” Swinarska adds.
The exhibition opening will take place on Friday, April 6, at 6:00 p.m. at the BOK-MCC Długa Gallery. The exhibition will be open until May 6.
(information: BOK-MCC/ii)