The Contemporary Art Modern Project will be kicking off the new year with three exhibitions running alongside each other in the gallery. A new concept to the gallery, we will be launching our own Incubator Space beginning with a section of works from Joanna Ambroz and Magdalena Zych as they explore nature, both human and biological in (Human)Nature.
Artists Joanna Ambroz and Magdalena Zych may appear to explore very different topics upon a first glance, where in reality what they both explore is nature - both human and the natural in Human/ Nature. Balancing personality as a marker of nature between the two artists leads Ambroz to explore the internal where Zych infuses the natural environment with suggestive eroticism representing the external. Considering both personality and the erotic, what is and what is not, the viewer can see that when combined these artists forge a pathway into very human considerations, even though their artistic vocabulary relies on different symbols.
For example, Ambroz composes stark landscapes of personality and the internal, shutting out all distraction but for the titles she employs - which when placed against the canvas, may confuse one. But, it is the idea of silencing distraction and focusing on both her painterly manner and topic that allows, finally, a true sense of exploration into how the title is translated into the finished work - and how that moment is part of what it means to be human.
When dissecting the works of Zych, as stated there is an abundant sense of the erotic, which is a label affixed to that which imbues fertility and reproduction, but what is key to her work is the idea of flourishing, blooming, erupting and all that is needed for any of those actions to happen. Taking the silencing of distraction and flavoring that silence with the opportunity for renewal is finally how these two topically different artist are able, when joined together to offer insight into how varied and unpredictable nature, both in the natural world and in humans is really what makes existence interesting.
In this Q&A, Joanna Ambroz and Magdalena Zych offer insights into their distinct pallets, how their works play off of each other in proximity, and the unique perspectives they bring to Human/Nature.
"I am fascinated by the dynamic relationship between these colors (Red & Blue), the contrast representing an exchange between the intensity of sensations and the compulsion to block them out."
- Joanna Ambroz
How does each other’s art affect each other when shown so closely together?
Joanna Ambroz: The exhibition of our works in one show highlights the multidimensionality of human nature - both its inner, indefinite organic form and its visible form, its external manifestation. The organic structures and pulsating colors in Magdalena Zych's work lead the viewer into an abstract world of deeply rooted emotions and experiences. My works, on the other hand, with their geometric clarity, focus on the clear and precise expression of emotions.
Magdalena Zych: When shown alongside Joanna Ambroz’s work, the contrast between our approaches creates a surprising dynamic that brings out a new quality in both of our paintings. The juxtaposition of cool tones versus intense colors, lushness versus minimalism, and contemplation versus vitality highlights the unique characteristics of each piece while enriching the overall narrative.
It also invites reflection on the shared elements within our distinct yet intertwined artistic stories. We both delve into relationships and encounters between beings, exploring the tension—often emotional, physical, or even erotic—that arises between two entities. We both engage with the subconscious and the interplay between human and non-human nature, drawing on the language of surrealism in our explorations.
I find this pairing particularly compelling as it not only emphasizes contrasts but also underscores the diverse ways psychological themes, emotions, interrelations, and sensuality can be expressed through painting. It’s a fascinating way to showcase the multifaceted nature of these concepts.
Magdalena Zych: Entanglement, 2024. Oil on Canvas. 31 1/2 x 31 1/2 inches. Available via Artsy. Joanna Ambroz: I Don't Know Yet, 2022. Oil on Canvas. 15 7/10 x 11 4/5inches. Available via Artsy
You both have very distinct pallets - why is that?
JA: Color has a fundamental role in my existence and is an integral part of everyday life - it is an essence that co-creates the space in which I reside. I surround myself with it in a variety of ways: I choose a clothing closet only in my favorite colors, I choose objects and furniture and wall colors that harmonize with my palette.
MZ: I believe that the way both of us use color reflects our backgrounds in graphic design—my studies in Warsaw and Joanna’s in Katowice—at the Academy of Fine Arts. We both employ color in a highly graphic, almost poster-like manner, which gives our work a distinct style and makes it stand out.
Magdalena Zych: Under the Leaf, 2024. Oil on Canvas. 15 7/10 x 15 17/0 inches. Available via Artsy. Deep Cuts, 2023. Oil on Canvas. 19 7/10 x 15 17/0 inches. Available via Artsy.
"I want my paintings to evoke strong emotions; I am not afraid of kitsch, exaggeration, intense colors, or over-the-top forms. I feel that I have a lot to say, and I want to say it clearly and powerfully."
- Magdalena Zych
You both have very different painterly practices - can you discuss why you paint the way you do?
MZ: For me, painting is an ongoing search, an emotion, an exploration of connection with the body. I want my paintings to evoke strong emotions; I am not afraid of kitsch, exaggeration, intense colors, or over-the-top forms. I feel that I have a lot to say, and I want to say it clearly and powerfully. Although I have my favorite colors, I never limit myself when choosing new hues for my paintings. I enjoy exaggeration in forms, and my artistic language, balancing between abstraction and surrealism, allows my imagination and the choice of forms to be limitless. I definitely prefer it to be too much rather than too little.
Joanna Ambroz: Envvy II, 2023. Oil on Canvas. 15 7/10 x 11 4/5inches. Available via Artsy.
Can you discuss the intention behind both of your works - considering the theme of Human/ Nature?
JA: Both Magdalena Zych and I undertake an exploration of human nature, although each of us focuses on different dimensions of it. Magdalena explores the relationship with nature, particularly the mystery of its sensual and biological dimensions, while I explore the inner human experience - mental states, emotional tensions and identity in the context of the modern world.
In my works presented in the exhibition, I consider the question of transformation that follows various experiences. I ask myself whether we can return to our former innocent nature, or whether the personality shaped by experiences inevitably has a dominant character and final impact on human conduct.
MZ: Both Joanna Ambroz and I explore different aspects of nature—she focuses on the internal human experience, while I focus on the relationships I create with the natural world and the sensuous mystery inherent in it. While Ambroz investigates psychological states and human identity in the contemporary world, I contemplate how modern humans can build relationships with nature, becoming aware of their own corporeality and biological existence.
Our art reflects the duality of human experience—Joanna through raw, contemplative self-portraits that delve into psychological and emotional tensions, and I through surreal, organic forms that evoke associations with growth, fertility, and transformation. Together, our works complement each other, showing that both the human and the wild/natural are essential for understanding existence.
