Philodolorosia patosoria

The image of a several-week-old human embryo is accompanied by a description styled to look like from the taxonomy of species, classifying all of them, from viruses to primates. Katarzyna Hołdys’ project tackles the most sensitive taboo, located in the middle of two vociferous debates of the second decade of the 21st century in Poland and – in one of the cases – also in the world. In a risky way and violating the boundaries of ethical compromise, the material addresses the issue of planetary resources. The “clinical” form of the work, resembling the style of medical or biological atlases, uses the language and terminology of biopower. It is the language of norm and pathology, which played a dark role during the humanitarian crisis of the second world war. Today, the climate crisis, its economic and political consequences and social fears resulting from them often lead to refusal to reproduce, a choice of more and more women around the world. Opposing the natural desire to continue the species and secure own existence at the cost of others by producing numerous offspring is a result of both conscious decisions and pathological fears.  

Katarzyna Hołdys, born in 1980 in Gdańsk, is an artist without formal qualifications who feels well in installation and performance, but defines herself as a painter. She sometimes writes short texts in prose and verse. An amateur dancer, a professional masseuse. Solo exhibitions: 2017 “Art in private space” New Synagogue in Gdańsk, 2019 “Divided” Baltic Philharmonic, 2020 “Fun and whims” Żak Gallery in Gdańsk; group exhibitions: “Perception of time” (curator) within the framework of the NeoArte Festival, 2019 “Gate No. 2” W Zaułku Gallery, 2020 “Touch women’s art”. Performance: 2019 “One has to catch it and shave it bald” Ziemia Club in Gdańsk, 2020 “Szymek Pokazywacz is looking for a rubbish dump” (anonymously) Artists’ Colony in Gdańsk, “More blood” (anonymously) 24 July 2020 in Gdańsk – public space. She is one of the protagonists of Konrad Królikowski’s (“Blocks” 2017) forthcoming documentary “Anticipant”, planned to premiere in Spring 2021.