The Institute of Visual Arts at the University of Zielona Góra opened its doors to visitors, inviting them to experience the annual end-of-year exhibition showcasing the work of its students. The unique exhibition was officially launched with a vernissage, offering guests the opportunity not only to admire several hundred works created by students of the University but also to explore all the artistic studios located at 10 Wiśniowa Street.
The annual exhibition at the Institute of Visual Arts has already become a valued tradition.
“This exhibition presents works created as part of classes within our artistic degree programmes. These are works by future artists specialising, among other areas, in painting and graphic design. What always impresses me most during this exhibition, however, is the enthusiasm and genuine commitment these young artists bring to their creative work,” emphasised Prof. Wojciech Strzyżewski, Rector of the University of Zielona Góra.
Presenting students’ work is one of the key elements of the annual exhibition. The event also provides an opportunity to discover the University's artistic studios and see the spaces where creativity and education take place.
“Each studio is represented by several dozen works, with every student usually presenting a number of their own projects. We can see a variety of artistic approaches and different identities developed within each studio. Our aim is to give visitors as close and comprehensive an insight as possible into what we do every day. The exhibition is also an opportunity to introduce prospective students to our Institute and show them what they can expect from studying with us,” explained Dr hab. Radosław Czarkowski, Professor at the University of Zielona Góra, Director of the Institute of Visual Arts.
The exhibition curator, Dr hab. Jarosław Łukasik, Professor at the University of Zielona Góra, added:
“The level of the presented works varies, as they reflect different personalities, temperaments, and levels of individual creative development. This is all part of the artistic process. We do not create fully formed artists in the first year of study – that would limit their individuality. It is much more important for students to observe, learn different artistic languages, explore their own creative potential, and gradually develop their own identity. All of this is an essential part of artistic education.”
The Friday vernissage began with a presentation of recycled fashion designs. Just as diverse as the outfits presented on the runway were the emotions and associations they evoked among the audience.
“I think all of the outfits presented were fascinating. I am interested in sewing myself, so seeing other people’s creations is very inspiring. The most memorable piece for me was the outfit with a hat decorated with floral elements. It immediately caught my attention. It reminded me of childhood and the way children draw flowers. Because the structure was quite irregular, it also gave me a sense of nostalgia,” said Paula Kotlarczyk, a Visual Arts student.
Another student, Emilia Tyka, shared her impressions: “It was a fantastic initiative. The outfits were very interesting, and you could see how much work had gone into creating them. I also really liked the fact that the make-up was carefully matched to each design. My favourite was probably the outfit with the large hat and voluminous skirt. It reminded me of a forest and a kind of mushroom-inspired atmosphere. That artistic mood really appealed to me.”
Each artwork also tells its own story. For some students, inspiration came from romantic relationships; for others, from exploring personal fears and emotions.
“The theme of my work was fear. I combined two things that I am most afraid of: animals – particularly wild boars in my case – and a less obvious feeling, which is discomfort when looking at old photographs. I wanted to create something strange and unsettling. For me, this project was also a way of stepping outside my comfort zone and confronting my fears. It was both a challenge and a personal breakthrough,” explained Alicja Franczak, a Graphic Design student.
Kornelia Budzan, a Graphic Design student, described the personal meaning behind her work:
“The piece closest to my heart is my drawing project. It is based on my own poems and very personal texts. It also includes photographs of myself and a friend. The work tells the story of a romantic relationship. Creating it was quite time-consuming – first comes the idea, then sketches, and finally the final version. The drawing itself took me approximately three hours to complete.”
Another student, Oliwia Wróbel, added:
“My main inspiration is emotions – those that remain somewhere deep inside me. My works also explore romantic relationships. These pieces are very important to me. Of course, there is some stress when strangers look at our work and discover our personal stories. But it is wonderful that people want to see them, that they are interested in what we create and what we want to communicate.”
The annual student exhibition can be visited until Friday, 26 June, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Institute of Visual Arts of the University of Zielona Góra, 10 Wiśniowa Street, Zielona Góra.
Admission is free.
