BIO

Maria Bitka, born in 1986 artist, Ph.D. in arts, based in Poland. She defended her doctorate in 2022 at the Academy of Fine Arts in Wrocław. Graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow (2013) and the Institute of Art at the University of Opole (2010), during her studies she was on scholarships at the Universidad Nacional de Artes in Buenos Aires, the Academy of Art Architecture ahd Design in Prague and the Art Institute at Indiana University of Pennsylvania in the USA. She uses diverse media, and creates performances, installations, objects, and often the documentation of her actions becomes an equal artistic work. She attaches great importance to the process of creating her works without, however, underestimating the visual/sensual attractiveness of her realizations. As a hobby, she sings in the traditional singing group „Niezłe Ziółka”. Co-founder of the art group Kuratorki (the Curators) and President of the OPAK association.

In my artistic practice, I use personal experience as a starting point for performance, video, photography and installation. I attach great importance to the process of creating my artworks without ignoring their visual/sensual appeal. When I create performances I find myself simultaneously in two dimensions, I am myself – a living feeling body – and I am a symbolic figure – a representation of the body, a woman. I find this fascinating. In my projects, I explore themes of intimacy, relationship with nature, and issues of identity. Traditional singing and its symbols and motifs are also an important source of inspiration for me.

Since graduating in 2010, I have realized 9 exhibitions or solo performances.
I have taken part in about 50 exhibitions and festivals at home and abroad. Some of the works and activities
I have realized with the art group Kuratorki, or in collaboration with other artists.