Kasia Kmita, Cut-outs Parade

9.10-30.10.2009

The series of Katarzyna Kmita’s work from which the exhibition, ‘Cut-outs Parade’, has been prepared has been in progress for many years. It reflects the growing interest of contemporary culture with folk art. Kashubian flowers, colourful belts from Łowicz, wooden necklaces and of course – the cut outs (originating from Kurpie and Łowicz), once superfluous and passé, now are used on clothes and furniture as decorative motifs.

The series of Katarzyna Kmita’s work from which the exhibition, ‘Cut-outs Parade’, has been prepared has been in progress for many years. It reflects the growing interest of contemporary culture with folk art. Kashubian flowers, colourful belts from Łowicz, wooden necklaces and of course – the cut outs (originating from Kurpie and Łowicz), once superfluous and passé, now are used on clothes and furniture as decorative motifs. Lately, they have also become the inspiration in Polish design and art.
 Katarzyna Kmita’s cut outs are in two sizes: 50 x 50 cm and 100 x 100 cm and attract the attention mainly because of their distinct, graphic motifs and colour. The composition of the images is simple: a contemporary motif – the logo of a car brand, a cartoon character, electronic gadgets, shapes from graffiti templates – are interwoven into the shape of the cut out. The colour of the motifs is intensive and the cut out itself is black, for contrast.
Katarzyna Kmita combining motifs from two, visually and ideally, separate worlds suggests that it is characteristic of a culture to develop patterns, templates, symbols, ornaments comprehensible at a particular time and in particular situation and place. And with time – ready to be ‘recycled’ by succeeding developments and creations. Katarzyna Kmita’s ‘Cut-outs’ are a good example of this in practice. This artistic ‘processing’ contains humour, lightness and charm. They can be enjoyed and can also inspire a certain form of contemplation.
                         
Magdalena Wicherkiewicz