Works of Art are the spirit and they talk to our spirits (Albert Chmielowski)

Maria Podgórska-Ritter was born in Toruń. She graduated from the School of Advertising and Decorating in Mińsk Mazowiecki. Studied at the Faculty of Fine Arts of the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń. In 1973, graduated in painting under Prof. Mieczysław Wiśniewski. She is the author of twelve solo exhibitions and a participant in several national and environmental exhibitions. Created functional graphics and spatial design. Since 1982, she has devoted herself to so-called pure art — she creates three-dimensional forms, lighting installations, does easel painting, drawing, and more recently sculpture. Since 1983, she’s been painting religious images, which can be found mostly in churches and convents in Bydgoszcz and the Kujawsko-Pomorskie district. She is a member of the Union of Polish Artist. She belongs to a Father Pio prayer group (from its inception) conducted by Capuchin order in Bydgoszcz.

“…in an interesting way she combines two seemingly contradictory trends a symbolic and metaphorical one with the traditions of constructivism. It seems to me that this is a creative drawing of conclusions from the two solo exhibitions: one presenting Podgórska the rationalist and the other presenting the expressionist. Here’s to them both being continued. “
(BACC), Facts, 4.12.1976

In this concise manner Marceli Bacciarelli, in a very short press release, described the work of Maria Podgórska. He does not explain precisely anything, apart from indication of the duality of artistic message of the then young artist. This is a characteristic of Maria Podgórska-Ritter also today. She creates drawings and paintings on religious themes while fully preserving the realism of the presentation. She paints impressionistic landscapes. Creates installations, entering the circle of abstract and conceptual art. The latter works are the essence of the current exhibition. She started creating installations in 2003, alongside dealing with sacred subjects. Her small forms are composed of very simple materials that accompany our life. The seemingly naive compositions are usually closed in transparent boxes, as if she was trying to protect their contents. She does not create her works for the sake of form alone. Through them, she shows her attitude towards the world, her life philosophy. These are reflection on life and death, where faith and love are extremely significant. The formal dualism characteristic for Maria Podgórska-Ritter’s art is not problematic for the author herself. What is important for her is the message carried by her works her attitude towards the value of life and the absolute.

Exhibition open until February 23rd, 2013