The event was hosted by the head of the Diplomatic Protocol, Mr. Marek Szczepanowski, who greeted the Deputy Director of the Department of Public Diplomacy, Mrs. Małgorzata Bochwic-Ivanovska, the President of the Foundation, Mrs. Barbara Kazana, the Academy of Arts’ Dean of the Graphics Faculty prof. Jacek Staszewski, the artists of the exhibited works and representatives of the Academy of Fine Arts and the diplomatic corps accredited in Warsaw.

"Beyond Time" is an exhibition of doctoral students at the Faculty of Graphics of the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw: a Pole Ms. Karolina Zimna-Stelmaszewska, an American Ms. Kimby Kerner and a Ukrainian Ms. Irena Lawruszko. Their graphic works are a personal reflection on the dimension and meaning of time in relation to astronomy, alchemy and the sacred.
Ms. Karolina Zimna-Stelmaszewska in her cycles of constellations and astronomical phenomena shows the shapes of still undiscovered places in the universe. Ms. Kimba Kerner presents photograms of porcelain sculptures with drawings combining elements from the 15th century alchemical treatise with mysterious Renaissance paintings. Ms. Irena Lawruszko reveals the mysticism of forgotten places. In architectural reconstructions of abandoned temples, she shows the destructive passage of time. Her works are a kind of reflection on transience.

Today, in the face of the ongoing war in Ukraine, these presentations become even more tangible. Especially the graphics of the Ukrainian artist Irena Lawruszko acquire a unique meaning, by illustrating damage that the war has caused in her motherland.

During her speech, Director Bochwic-Ivanovska referred to this theme, pointing out that “Poland is deeply committed to supporting Ukraine in its heroic struggle against the Russian attack. At the same time, it is here in Poland that we gave our Ukrainian neighbors the opportunity to anchor in a safe environment that guarantees to pursue their freedom of artistic expression. I am convinced that at least in this way we can contribute to the strengthening of the Ukrainian national spirit, thus increasing the chance that Ukraine will pull though the worst moments of Russian aggression and ultimately emerge victorious.”
In her speech, President Kazana emphasized the importance of maintaining the legacy of her tragically deceased husband, the head of the Diplomatic Protocol, Mr Mariusz Kazana, whose vision it was to promote young, and talented artists.

When asked for a few words of reflection on behalf of the other artists, Ms Irena Lewruszko pointed to the great conditions created in Poland for artists for the development of their artistic creativity.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been cooperating with the Foundation for over 10 years and this activity includes many initiatives aimed at popularizing Polish modern art and strengthening international artistic exchange. The Ministry and the Foundation have jointly undertook artistic projects in China, Belgium, Lebanon, Ireland, Italy, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Serbia, the United States, and Cyprus. 

The Mariusz Kazana Foundation was established on September 29, 2010. After Mariusz Kazana's tragic death in the presidential plane crash near Smolensk on April 10th 2010, the widow, her daughter and a group of friends took the initiative to create a Foundation named after him. Mariusz Kazana was the Director of the Diplomatic Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a diplomat and art lover, the author of many projects promoting Polish culture and art. The Foundation promotes the knowledge about Mariusz Kazana and his interests, continuing projects that he did not manage to implement. The mission of the Foundation is to build a positive image of Poland by popularizing culture and art in the country and abroad. From the day of its creation, contemporary Polish graphics have been the focal point of its activity.

 

Łukasz Jasina
MFA Press Spokesperson
 

Photo: Bartosz Peterman/MFA