Breaking News: Kinga Bartniak selected for “Practices of Care” residency project

In an exciting development for the art and creative community of Wrocław and Lower Silesia, Kinga Bartniak, a distinguished visual researcher, graphic designer, and STEAM educator, has been chosen for a prestigious three-month residency in Košice. The residency project “Practices of Care” received an overwhelming response in total 12 applications from artists and creatives interested in exploring themes of well-being, rest, and caring practices.

Kinga Bartniak, a graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Wrocław with a PhD in Graphic Design and Media Arts, stood out among the applicants with her innovative and thought-provoking proposals. Her submission encompassed a wide array of ideas, ranging from poetic interpretations of plant life to reflections on personal trauma and societal changes.

The selection committee, led by project curator Petra Sedlák Housková of K.A.I.R. Kosice Artist in Residence, was impressed by Bartniak’s multi-disciplinary approach and her commitment to exploring the intersection of art and environmental consciousness.

Bartniak’s winning project focuses on the study of chestnut trees, particularly threatened by environmental challenges such as drought and parasite attacks. Drawing parallels between the resilience of these trees and human experiences of stress and manipulation, Bartniak aims to delve into the deeper meanings of botanical metaphors. Her research will involve engaging with the local community through interviews and fieldwork, examining perceptions of work and well-being.

As anticipation builds for Bartniak’s journey to Košice, attention now turns to the upcoming residency visit to Wrocław in 2025, with the selected artist set to be announced at the beginning of next year.

Stay tuned for further updates on Kinga Bartniak’s groundbreaking exploration of caring practices and the transformative power of art.

Scheduled to commence in April, “Practices of Care” residency is part of the ongoing artistic exchange facilitated by the Wrocław Institute of Culture’s AIR Wro residency programme in collaboration with K.A.I.R. Kosice Artist in Residence. The initiative aims to foster international dialogue and creative exchange within the cultural sphere.