Adrian Wykrota

NOT

The photos taken in Poland (2014-2018)

To these who are between

Have the Poles divided themselves recently or maybe they have never been a homogenous group and an increasing temperature of political events has only emphasized a dividing line? Maybe they are simply different but live in relative agreement in the same neighbourhood, within the national borders, having the same common symbols? However it has been, the unity is a myth located in “happy days” which in fact never existed. So using this myth to judge today’s events is completely useless. Adrian Wykrota’s photos do not give any answers to any of the questions – this is left to spectators. The author observes Polish nature as a witness, not as a wise man who gives ready solutions. He does not try to be romantic – he watches Poland more like Hrabala than like Mickiewicz or Norwid. The photos are like postcards from islands of Polish archipelago. Everybody can locate these small lands on their own ones in different ways, the photographer gives free rain. As a clue to solve the puzzles, one can use the titles which refer to the places (HERE) and to the processes which made the divisions (YES, in this way). The whole work is clipped together by the title NO which can express not only an author’s critical attitude to the reality, which would be too simple, but also refers to some Polish national habits like stubbornness, denying good solutions, a lack of cooperation and building relations.

Jerzy Piątek

Adrian Wykrota

A photographer, a documentalist, an originator and a co-founder of the PIX.HOUSE Gallery. The student at Opawa School of Photography (The Czech Republic). The scholar of Ministry of Culture and of Marshal of the Wielkopolska Region. In 2014 he was chosen one of 30 best photographers before thirties by Magnum Photos. The winner and the finalist of the competitions : IPA, Grand Press Photo, BzWBK Press Photo, Lumix Festival, Leica Street Photo and The News Reporter of the Year. He has presented his works in Poland and in the world. He lives in Poznań.