Świdziński's manipulated photos are on display Courtesy of CSW

Jan Świdziński is a legendary painter, performance artist, art theorist and author of texts on the Polish creative scene. In the 1970s, he expounded on the theory of contextual art, in which images carry particular significance within particular contexts. This month, Świdziński’s work is on display at the Centre for Contemporary Art at Ujazdowski Castle.

“In My Context” (“W moim kontekście”) is a show of artistically manipulated photographs that carry heavy political and social messages. For Świdiński, photographs are essentially props within works of more complex intellectual depth. Based on the idea that “art does not speak the truth, art persuades us of the truth,” Świdziński employs popular symbols in his work, but uses context to alter their meaning.

Well-known works on display include a faux magazine cover featuring a veiled woman warmly embracing an American soldier. The artist himself very often turns up as props in his own photos.

Jan Świdziński’s work has travelled the world, appearing in cities such as Amsterdam, Paris, Montreal and New York.

For more information, log on to www.csw.art.pl