"Fluid Resistance" a new exhibition by Kasia Dzikowska

17 Jan 2021

Artist Statement

“In my art practice I am connecting with the communities that surround me, focusing on elements that are emotionally important for people in their community. I am interested in the spiritual aspect of how we perceive ourselves and the world around us, and connections that we create, whether they be with places, things, or each other.

“A significant part of my work centres around residents of the UAE, focusing on their existence, their perception of themselves and their ambitions. Part of my process before I begin painting is to connect with my subject on a personal level by meeting people and listening to their stories, visiting the place or reading about it. I do not merely want to capture the image with my brushes; rather I want to show the inner beauty of the people and places that I document.

“My process starts with prolonged observations of a singular subject, aimed at capturing the repetition of changes and constants. Most of my visual projects oscillate around multiple renderings of the same imaginary, exploring it in methodical ways. I am fascinated by layers of colours and textures, interlocking with each other in a delicate dance of transparency and opacity. It acts as a prism, where the representational aspect of the work has been scrapped away, allowing the emotional aspect, based at the core of the image, to take centre stage. In a sense, my art explores cyclical aspect of carving out and revisiting part of everyday life and exploring the raw emotions connected to them.“

Kasia Dzikowska is an Abu Dhabi-based artist. Born in Poland, she earned her MFA in fine arts at UTH Radom in 2007. Thereafter, she based her arts practice in the UK, and became an art educator in 2009, currenly teaching Fine Art and Graphic Design at Zayed University.

In 2013, Kasia moved to the Middle East where she has been living ever since. Her work has been displayed at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi and she was awarded 1st Place in the Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival for her series ‘Notice me’. Her work has also been exhibited internationally, including in the UK, USA, UAE and Poland.

Kasia works in a variety of media, including painting, mixed media, digital graphics and installation. Her work includes strong use of repetition and habitual documenting and comments on socio-gender issues through visual memory recording. Her work is influenced by the Middle East, particularly by matters of everyday existence and the empowerment of local women in the UAE.

More about the exhibition and the artist: https://www.kasiadzikowska.com/fluid-resistance