This is part of our special feature on European Art, Culture, and Politics.
Creating her spatial models, Maria Wasilewska tries to create a physically and mentally consistent unity, which may contain some particle of information about the world. The aim is to create a certain reality model parallel, based on the universal rules, clear to viewers. She tries to find the most proper means of expression of idea in order to create “a place” of a stronger emotional, sensual, and semantic coloring. In the progress of work, she tries to eliminate all that could disturb proper reception. She attempts to leave only the necessary points, which give the possibility of recognizing anything, but at the same time they don’t offer clear answers. She rediscovers her intuitions in science: physics and maths, and lately in psychology, sociology, and politics.
She specializes in installations, site specific projects, and environment, while also making spatial objects, using video. In her practice, she is interested in the possibilities of cognizing, sensing, and naming reality.
She is a sculptor. The experience of space is importance to her. By the means of art, she tries to understand the nature and herself; she as the inherent element of the nature. She does realize that the cognition will never be final. But, when she creates spaces, she tries to find some constant points of reference and a rule. The reality is a source of inspiration for her. She perceives it intuitively and sensually.
Born in 1971 in Torun, Poland, Maria Wasilewska lives and works in Cracow. She graduated from the Nicolas Copernicus University in Torun, the Faculty of Fine Arts in professor Maciej Szankowski’s studio. Since 2010, she has been working at the Faculty of Art at the Pedagogical University in Cracow. She is a grant holder of The Ministry of Culture and National Heritage in 2008, and was awarded at the 7th International Arte Laguna Prize, Venice with Special Prize by Art Gallery “Amy-D Arte Spazio,” 2013.
Published on April 14, 2020.
