Artist Statement
In 2002, due to the sudden loss of job I was forced to move from the centre of Warsaw to Praga, the most neglected and (in a general opinion) the most dangerous district of the city. At that time I was going through a serious internal crisis. That was when I turned to photography, which had always fascinated me. I started from the street photos and portraying my nearest neighbours. In 2005, I took part in a 6-month course on photojournalism at the department of journalism of the University of Warsaw. I have been publishing my pictures since 2006, sharing my passion for photography with the work of a screenwriter and a screenwriting teacher (I graduated from the screenwriting department of the National Film School in ?ód?). I am a laureate of several prizes won at Polish and international photographic competitions.
Process Statement
The inhabitants of Warsaw consider Brzeska Street the very core of North Praga, the most neglected and dangerous disctrict in the city. I give you portaits of the street’s residents, my neighbours, acquaintances, friends, people among whom I lived for so many years. I only photograph people who I stay in close touch with. The pictures are a testimony of the relation, a result of the long process where the release of the shutter is essentially an element of little meaning. The relation is always based on mutuality. If I count on openness and understanding I need to offer the same in return. Paradoxically, the element that makes it more difficult is the camera itself. It is a kind of mask the photographer hides behind, the mask that understandably eliminates mutuality. I put a lot of effort into getting rid of the camera while shooting photographs. I wish to make the camera transparent and invisible for everyone (including me). This way I have a chance to uncover my own face and reach the truth, which lies behind the face of the other person.The philosophy of dialogue (particularly inspiring for me) mentions the experience of face as key in the event of encounter. According to Emmanuel Levinas “the face is something that infinitely rises above the appearance”. On the other hand, the encounter is something more than to see, to shake hands, to be aware of the other person. The encounter is always face-to-face and leaves ethical consequences.
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