Press Release

Poniatowski’s practice is preoccupied with the themes of nature, darkness, abundance, and viciousness. These themes are symptomatic of growing up in the so-called zombie socialism period, characterized by a hybrid of ritualistic anti-communist spells and a sudden, merciless neoliberal reality. As put by the artist – “With a bit of sardonic humor, my works reflect an attempt to recover from the dark times of helplessness and anxiety. Still, these feelings of unease, passed on by the previous generations, reoccur in our times of hyper-populism and technocracy”.

More from the artist:
The content of the works is accessible through the prism of memory, symbolism of materiality, distorted and inverted perspective. The suggested associations are here echoing my own experience, where I progressively build upon my remembrances, repressed or unconscious feelings triggered by the insolent familiarity of the materials and environment. The historical context of the socialist era in Eastern Europe, its collapse, and further transformation play a significant role in creating a feeling of weariness and defiance.