Julia Curyło

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World's ambiguities keep Julia Curylo interested. Her symbolism filled works originating from traditions of surrealism, magical realism and neo-pop are predestined to be received intellectually and demand of the viewer to have some up to date knowledge of current topics and contemporary world issues. One of them is the conquest of space and the continuous discussion on how the universe came into existence. The dispute between rationalists and the followers of major religions taking place not only among scientists but also in everyone's own private world is the starting point to interpreting Julia's “cosmic” paintings series.

Paintings-objects have to do with the domain of astronautics. The depicted in them drifting in space cosmonauts observe life on Earth from a cosmic and a divine perspective at the same time. They find themselves on the border of two worlds:  of the sacred and of the profane as they are representatives of science and also of human dreams about expeditions into the unknown in search of not only alien civilizations but also of the absolute. And also in search of an answer to the question that has  been tormenting the humankind  - where do we come from, who are we?

They are guardsmen on the border between the sacred and the profane, worshipped like saints in the past and, at the same time, they are representatives of man's scientific undertakings devoid of any irrational element.

The border between quantum and classical physics and also  between science and metaphysics is of interest to Julia. She explores their effects and how they infiltrate the pop-culture and human imagination which, in each individual case attempts to explain our place in the world. Some do it through the language of physics, numbers and formulas, others through belief in existence of superior beings. In both cases they seek the “divine” language that would clarify anything that remains uncertain and within the realm of speculation.

Cosmic space keeps Julia inspired in its purely esthetic form – dark backgrounds are like blackboards to write formulas on,and cosmonauts spacesuits – like inflatable baloon-toys. Grotesque elements add lightness to the serious theme. Realistic fragments relate to “our”, known, tested and cognizable reality. The cosmonauts are at the border – they observe this world but they also touch a mystery.

                                                                  help with writing formulas-Wojciech Karawacki