Curatorial notes
Małgorzata Serwatka created this artwork, "Kobieton VIII," using mixed media to explore the grotesque and the beautiful in the female form. The white figure, doll-like, possesses a painted face reminiscent of a carnival mask, connecting to ancient rituals where masks transform identities and blur the lines between worlds. Consider how the reclining pose echoes classical depictions of Venus, yet here, she is rendered with exaggerated features and a haunting visage. The gesture of the hand, seemingly delicate, contrasts sharply with the distorted face. We see this juxtaposition echoed in other times, such as the grotesque masks of antiquity used in theatrical performances, meant to evoke both laughter and fear. This tension reflects a deep-seated human fascination with the grotesque, embodying our anxieties and fears. "Kobieton VIII" confronts us with the cyclical nature of these symbols, reminding us that even in beauty, the grotesque lurks, and vice versa.