Exhibition documentation
The Room of My Own, Tiger Strikes Asteroid, Los Angeles (USA) with Barbara Gryka
Curated by Anita Kucharczyk
Tiger Strikes Asteroid is proud to present The Room of My Own, a compelling two-person exhibition featuring the works of Magdalena Ciemierkiewicz and Barbara Gryka from southeastern Poland. This marks their debut exhibition in the United States, encapsulated in a suitcase that echoes both the childhood nostalgia of Polly Pocket dolls and Marcel Duchamp’s iconic La Boîte-en-valise.
Much like Duchamp, who transported his works to the US amidst the looming threat of World War II, Ciemierkiewicz and Gryka reference the ongoing turmoil in Europe today. Their works reflect on the war in Ukraine, the resurgence of fascism, and the rise of extreme right-wing ideologies. Set against the backdrop of an impending US election, the exhibition delves into the challenges of living within a conservative and patriarchal society, where the traumatic echoes of the 20th century still reverberate.
Photos: Gemma Lopez
The artists bring miniature replicas of their works, symbolizing the potential need for migration. They ponder how to encapsulate their identities, histories, and artistic practices within the constraints of a suitcase, much like the dimensions set by airlines.
Their works explore the complexities of Eastern Europe as a borderland. Barbara Gryka addresses geopolitical tensions, natural resource exploitation, and social dynamics through performative and social interventions. Magdalena Ciemierkiewicz, hailing from the Polish-Ukrainian borderland, investigates memory, spirituality, and cultural identity, reworking the traumatic history and its contemporary implications.
The Room of My Own offers a poignant exploration of the artists’ heritage and the broader socio-political landscape. This exhibition is not only an introduction to the American audience but also a reflection on the possible future necessity of migration, embodying the artists’ quest for a safe and stable environment.
The exhibition is co-financed by the Polish Culture in the World program of the Institute of Adam Mickiewicz.
