Irena Kalicka
MASSACRE OF THE INNOCENTS
26.09-09.11.2024
Opening: Thursday, 26.09.2023,
a part of Warsaw Gallery Weekend 2024
Profile Foundation
Franciszkańska 6, 00-214 Warsaw
Tuesday–Saturday, 12 noon–7 pm
During Warsaw Gallery Weekend
11 noon – 7 pm
In a new series of works, Irena Kalicka combines the traditions of oldmaster’s art with the narratives of contemporary visual culture. The photographic series metaphorically refer to the social position of women, especially as mothers. The artist looks at the global phenomenon of violence against women, domestic, sexual and systemic violence. She refers to painting representations of oldmaster’s art, biblical stories, contemporary essays on the border of anthropology and philosophy, as well to non-fiction literature. In a monumental photographic composition entitled “The Massacre of the Innocents” refers to her own experiences, evoking the topic of motherhood and women’s fear of aggression towards children. Avoiding sentimentalisation or demonisation of the topic, the author does not show cruelty or victims of violence. Characters in staged performances are played by dolls and toys.
At the same time, the artist refers to a number of painting interpretations of this topic created over several centuries. She combines various cultural codes and references to tradition, inscribing them into the visuality of contemporary art and popular culture. The reference point for her work is the frivolous droleries of medieval illuminations, a kind of marginalia allowing for giving vent to frolicsome fantasies, and a free way of commenting on reality in contemporary stand-up.
