Honorable Mention
Hope, 2023 (Fragrance)
DESCRIPTION
Desolate Beauty it is a project which combines, although seemingly mutually exclusive, beauty and decay. Beauty is gorgeous women, whereas decay describes the physical condition of places where I invite them and make them immortal. Women are wearing beautiful robes (for instance, long ball gowns) or are naked – anyhow, they are always beautiful. This unusual combination has a strong impact on my sense of aesthetics and state of mind. In my case, the sum of beauty and decay always results in … beauty (like good triumphs over evil). Another element that links individual photographs included in the series is solitude – it is felt no matter how many people there are in a respective frame. AUTHOR
“Photography connects the world of facts with the universe of emotions. It reconciles the mind with the soul, and through it, I follow the path of continuous development. Per aspera ad Astra (…)”. – RadekRadek’s photography has a universal quality, with a distinct focus on people, understood in an exceptionally broad sense. His open-minded approach allows him to blend various forms within this artistic field, for example, by creating narrative portraits or nudes in different worlds and dimensions. Occasionally, he delves into landscapes and saute architecture. He tells stories, describes emotions and sometimes is solely interested in form. His creativity you can see in award-winning projects Desolate Beauty and Connected to Nature.
He works both digitally and analog (including, among others, his favorite Nikon FM2 and Pentax 645NII). At times, he combines modern cameras with vintage lenses, (including, for example, his beloved replica of the 19th-century Petzval lens). He is an enthusiast of natural light but occasionally combines multiple types of light. Follow his rapidly expanding portfolio – it’s worth it. He holds the title of Artist Photographer (AFRP, ID number 527) and is an actual member of the Fotoklub of the Republic of Poland Association of Artists which is the sole national representative of FIAP – Fédération Internationale de l’Art Photographique.
Radek’s lens captures a diverse array of subjects, including movie stars, models, and public figures, as well as ordinary individuals who often become… extraordinary. He photographs in modern spaces, as well as in the ruins of castles or abandoned factories. Occasionally, he also works in the studio. He expresses himself in both black and white but does not shy away from a full color palette. His embrace of diversity reflects an open mind and is an expression of his creative freedom.