1118 miles

Polish Art Exhibition in connection with Polish Arts Festival

13th September - 1st November 2008


Karol Radziszewski, Wojciech Doroszuk, Iwona Zając, Agata Borowa and Twożywo

Guest curators Katarzyna Szydłowska and Konrad Schiller have worked with Ipswich Borough Council’s Town Hall Galleries to bring together an exhibition of Polish contemporary art to coincide with Ipswich’s inaugural Polish Arts Festival organised by Hungry Arts and the local Polish Community. The resulting show presents work by young Polish artists, exploring the theme of universal communication at a distance and the impact that it has on the close relations between human beings.

For this exhibition Szydłowska and Schiller have identified 1118 miles - the geographical distance between two capital cities - London and Warsaw – as not only a physical expanse that can be experienced through movement but also an “emotional distance”. For many people living and working abroad technological advances have meant that keeping in touch with family and friends at home has become much easier. Skype, instant messaging, emails and cheap phone calls have become integral to daily life.

The project focuses on the universal desire to communicate exposing problems that affect the maintenance of close relations. It seeks an agreement through various intermediaries, whilst revealing communicational misunderstandings and predicaments that stem from being “other”. With such a range of new technologies allowing easy communication with home, a central question considers if ‘virtual’ relationships can become a substitute for real life.

The exhibition introduces young emerging Polish artists working in the UK and Poland, who consider themes of communication and the importance of interpersonal relations. Karol Radziszewski, Wojciech Doroszuk, Iwona Zając, Agata Borowa and Twożywo work in a variety of media - video, print, mural and poster art - giving fresh and varied personal responses to this universal topic of communication.

Click here for more information about the artists and curators

The exhibition 1118 miles has been developed in connection with the Polish Arts Festival organised by Hungry Arts and the local Polish Community. This inaugural Polish Arts Festival celebrates the culture of the growing Polish community in Suffolk.

The event will take place in various venues across Ipswich:
Polish Film Festival in the Hollywood Cinemas (16th-20th September)
Polski Picnic in Christchurch Park, Sunday 21st September, with Polish foods, traditional dancing, crafts, live bands, and much, much more.

Visit www.polishartsfestival.co.uk for further info.