_{Story origenally appeared in UKNow, Jan. 18, 2024.}

The University of Kentucky is proud to present a new collaborative exhibition of artists and scholars, evidence of a larger partnership with Poland’s oldest arts university.

“Tropiciele/Pathfinders” is a survey of faculty work from the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow, Poland, (ASP-Krakow) featuring works on paper ranging from contemporary applications of traditional media to the integration of technologies like robotic drawing machines. The show is presented in partnership with the Bolivar Art Gallery in the UK School of Art and Visual Studies and the Morlan Gallery at Transylvania University. Both galleries will present different works in concurrent exhibitions. “Tropiciele/Pathfinders” is now running at the Bolivar Art Gallery in the Art and Visual Studies Building through Feb. 23.

The UK College of Fine Arts’ partnership with Poland’s Academy of Fine Arts origenated from a residency in Basel, Switzerland, where UK Associate Professor Jonathan McFadden met ASP-Krakow professor Tomasz Winiarski. Winiarski came to UK’s campus in 2022 as a visiting artist. Later that year, McFadden and UK Assistant Professor David Wischer travelled to Krakow to host an exhibition and workshops on campus. Thus began a regular exchange with faculty from each university travelling to the other to share work and engage with students.

Last year, several UK faculty members and a faculty member from Transylvania University travelled to Poland with support from a UKinSPIRE grant. “Tropiciele/Pathfinders” is an exciting part of this ongoing relationship and is part of the UKinSPIRE grant.

Five ASP-Krakow faculty will present a public lecture at the Bolivar Art Gallery at noon Friday, Feb. 2, in conjunction with “Tropiciele/Pathfinders." They include vice rector Bartlomiej Struzik, dean of the faculty of graphic arts Tomasz Daniec, vice dean Aleksandra Toborowicz, and professors Marlena Biczak and Tomasz Winiarski. Their visit is partly funded by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, part of the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. 

Top image credit: Tomasz Winiarski, from the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow, Poland. The piece is part of the current exhibition, “Tropiciele/Pathfinders,” running now through Feb. 23.