Communing with nature and the nature itself are soothing.
So is painting, the process of reconstructing reality by means of artistic expression.
Creativity helps build resilience.
Resilience is the resistance, flexibility and strength necessary
to survive the crisis, get up and move on.
In memory of my father Tomek.
And for my daughter.
Katarzyna Szeszycka
The exhibition is, thus far, the most comprehensive showcase of the series of paintings and films by Katarzyna Szeszycka dedicated to the artist’s father who passed away four years ago. The title has been inspired by the title of a book by the French neuropsychiatrist Boris Cyrulnik, a promoter of the concept of resilience. The French word resilience denotes resistance, flexibility, elasticity, adaptability and strength necessary to survive a crisis, get up and move on…
Katarzyna Szeszycka (born 1983) – painter, interdisciplinary artist. She also creates spatial projects referring to the border of perception: The Model of Swarm (2019) – a sensual exercise enabling the drawing of space in the mind using the sound suggestion of movement, White Plants (2014/15) – organic white meadows grown without light. Co-founder of the independent FREEDOM GALLERY at the OFF MARINA in Szczecin and the UPSIDE ART Foundation. He lectures at the Academy of Art in Szczecin.
Tomasz Stanisław Szeszycki (1954-2019) – forester, long-time head of the Rokita Forest District (RDLP Szczecin). At the time of his appointment, he became the youngest forest superintendent in Poland. He held the position for 37 years, until 2015, when he was appointed the Dean of the Forest Service Corps. Social activist, naturalist, promoter of nature protection, initiator and co-initiator of the creation of: 7 nature reserves, 6 ecological areas, 7 nature and landscape complexes and 41 natural monuments. He initiated and introduced a number of innovative activities in the field of nature protection into forestry practice. Author of monographic studies on a number of plants: common yew, mountain ash, cherry – bird cherry. Grandson of the insurgent Seweryn, Tomasz Szeszycki authored books about the Greater Poland Uprising. His grandfather was the commander of the shot putter section in the Powidz unit and survived four camps from Gross-Rosen to Dachau during World War II (resilience runs like a gene in the family).
