The 2024 Katarzyna Kobro Award for Ewa Zarzycka

The initiator of the award, prof. Józef Robakowski, with the consent of the artist's daughter, Nika Strzemińska, strengthened the awareness of Kobro's extraordinary achievements, at the same time emphasizing the strong connection between the achievements of the avant-garde sculptor and contemporary practices. Award named after Katarzyny Kobro honors people who constantly seek answers to new questions and persistently negotiate the role of art in society. Every year, a jury composed of artists awards outstanding achievements in the broadly understood field of visual arts, particularly appreciating experimental and exploratory attitudes. The idea of ​​this social, grass-roots award refers to the tradition of solidarity between artists, which is the foundation of the Muzeum Sztuki in Łódź.

In the years 2001–2009, the Award was presented in the Wschodnia Gallery and was founded by the brothers Krzysztof and Dariusz Bieńkowski. In 2011, it found its home in the Muzeum Sztuki. In 2023, the award was presented at the W Y Gallery. Every year, the selection of the jury composed of artists invariably resonates throughout the entire artistic community.

2024 Katarzyna Kobro Award for Ewa Zarzycka was awarded by the Jury:

chairwoman:

Sylwia Gorak

Jury members:

Anka Leśniak

Weronika Teplicka

Marta Zgierska

The jury motivates its decision as follows:

An award for the Mistress of the Word for outstanding work that, despite the passage of time, does not lose its autonomy and originality. For being an inspiring performer for several generations of artists, for networking and supporting the artistic community. For innovation, pioneering approach to art and consistency in work. For constantly starting over, having courage and experimenting.

BIO

Ewa Zarzycka (1953)

She obtained her diploma in 1978 at the State Higher School of Fine Arts in Wrocław. Author of performances, installations and drawings. The artist's performances are based on her statements (spoken performance). They are original thoughts that are shared with recipients; lectures in which truth mixes with fiction. Zarzycka moves on the border between art and everyday reality. The reflections, full of rhetorical questions, are accompanied by objects: maps, globes, charts, drawings. By recording her performances, the artist allows us to confront them again in a changing reality.

Previous laureates: 

2001 – Zbigniew Dłubak 
2002 – Jürgen Blum-Kwiatkowski 
2003 – Andrzej Dłużniewski 
2004 – Krzysztof M. Bednarski 
2005 – Teresa Murak 
2006 – Krzysztof Wodiczko 
2007 – Jerzy Lewczyński 
2008 – Zbigniew Rybczyński 
2009 – Andrzej Lachowicz 
2011 – Zygmunt Rytka 
2012 – Natalia LL 
2013 – Cezary Bodzianowski 
2014 – Robert Rumas 
2015 – Jadwiga Sawicka 
2016 – Karolina Wiktor 
2017 – Piotr Bosacki 
2018 – Cecylia Malik 
2019 – Ewa Ciepielewska 
2020 – Koji Kamoji 
2022 – Elżbieta Jabłońska

Partner:

Starak Family Faundation