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kozyra - cheerleaderka

Katarzyna Kozyra: "Cheerleaderka" (2006). Photograph: M. Oliva Soto,
courtesy Zachęta Narodowa Galeria Sztuki, Warszawa

Katarzyna Kozyra (Poland, Italy, Germany *1963)

After studying at the Warsaw Academy of Fine Arts, Katarzyna Kozyra decided she no longer wanted to make sculptures and began working with photography, video, performances and installations instead. In 1999, she was honored with a special award when she represented Poland at the 47th Venice Biennale. She received a grant from DAAD in 2003 which she used to study to become a makeup artist and opera singer.

In "Olimpia," (1996) Katarzyna Kozyra, who was diagnosed with cancer in 1992, presents herself as a 'chemotherapy Manet painting.' After her work "Piramida Zwierzat" (Animal Pyramid) (1993) caused a scandal, she started turning her private life into a public stage. The video is accompanied by a photo installation.

"Cheerleaderka" (2006)is one of the 13 videos in the cycle "W sztuce marzenia staja sie rzeczywistoscia" (In Art Dreams Come True). In this video, Katarzyna Kozyra is dressed up as a red-haired pop star, singing a Gwen Stefani song and dancing in cheerleader-like fashion in a men's locker room. Kozyra can also be seen in different roles in her earlier works as well, including the obese woman in "Diva" and the man in "Laznia Meska" (Men's Bathhouse).

 

In the Video Archive:

"Olimpia", 1996, 12:40min.
"Cheerleaderka", 2006, 4:30min.


Links:

Zachęta Narodowa Galeria Sztuki, Warszawa