In this exhibition, everything is symbolic. Starting with the exhibition title „5 x 8”, which has many meanings. Above all, it refers to the principle used by Katarzyna Kobro to compose spatial works. „A frame that demarcates a certain space has various functions: it draws attention to a certain area, isolates and organises the message contained in it. A frame of thorns of perfect proportions is meant to ennoble the message contained in the brooches,” explains the artist.
The sum of the numbers 5 and 8 also refers to 13 December, the date on which martial law was imposed. For the artist, this is an opportunity to remember that, just as in 1981, the authorities are also restricting our freedoms today.
„We are threatened by refugees, the LGBT community. Climate change and the daily extinction of many animal species are also real dangers. Through jewellery, I would like to draw attention to existing global problems and encourage local action to fix them,” explains Prof Boss.
The product of these two numbers is also symbolic - the artist has been affiliated with the Władysław Strzemiński Academy of Fine Arts in Łódź for 40 years, where he continues to teach in the Department of Jewellery.
„5 x 8” is an exhibition that is unique in many ways. First of all, it alludes to one of the traditional functions of jewellery: „It used to carry an important message, today it is an element of clothing,” the artist concludes. His jewellery no longer testifies to his financial status or social standing, but primarily to his attitude to the surrounding reality. It is this reality - with particular emphasis on the dangers of the modern world - that for several years now has been the inspiration for works raising awareness of the need to confront such global problems as species extinction, global warming, the flood of rubbish, bad touch, alcoholism, lack of privacy or environmental protection in the broadest sense.
„We live in a time when more and more issues touch our emotions. Artists are more sensitive, living with emotions that are harder for them to escape from. So it is not surprising that they are reflected in the art they create,” the artist concluded.
Andrew Boss - Full professor, runs the Studio of Goldsmiths' Forms Design at the Władysław Strzemiński Academy of Fine Arts in Łódź, also lectures at the University of Technology in Katowice. Has been designing jewellery, utilitarian objects and small sculptural forms for 35 years. Participant of more than 100 collective exhibitions and about 20 individual exhibitions. Lives and works in Łódź.
„5 x 8” - exhibition by Andrew Boss
Museum of Contemporary Jewellery - Koneser Centre in Warsaw
13 December 2019 - 17 January 2020
curator of the exhibition: Monika Szpatowicz
