In this exhibition, four international young artists from Poland, South Africa and Slovakia, working in various media will bring their life experiences to the United Kingdom through their art. If you like what you see why not check out the full exhibition?

KASPER OSKAR WEGRZYNOWSKI

I have always been fascinated by the human figure and its natural beauty, as well as the fake and glamorous image. I am especially fascinated by the ideal of feminity.

I think it is a great experience to live now, surrounded by the perfection of the human body that is served really well by media, but on the other hand some of us forget what is real and what isn't. I have found a strong contrast in my practice between photography as a "lie" and a sculpture which uncovers the "unfashionable truth". But there is a very important element in both: the theatrical quality of the image.

Inspired by a wide range of artists having the same dilemma I can't forget about the main influence: music, which sometimes seems to be more independent than we are.

Video captures what is happening in my mind, the inside reflects clear emotions by which music is an accompaniment, the soundtrack of my life.

PETRONELA DOSTALOVA

Hidden

In the beginning I felt like I would live in the image. I was there and I could do whatever I wanted to. I saw myself moving in the space I built, putting, using and collecting things around myself.

I am not there anymore, but I have sent people there. My figures I have created are outstanding human beings trying to adapt themselves into society. Their diversity makes them a visible minority.

My work is focused on man-woman gender questions. I am placing real eyes into their plastic-like bodies as if someone totally different would live inside, an artificial smile covering the real face.

MICHAL JANOWSKI

My work is based on observation of people, everyday environment and ideas about my generation. I seek an expression that is individualistic rather than universal, aware of angst and frailty rather than striving for perfection. It conveys the idea of autobiography as a starting point.

Because the subject matter is full of contradictions my work combines figurative style with an element of abstraction. I transform photographs in an experimental way but at the same time I believe in working from nature and I’m constantly developing skills and technique. I’m interested in emotion and intuition during the creative process.

I found a strong connection with artists from A School Of London and their “obsessive fascination with the figure as the subject through which the most profound feelings about human existence can be conveyed.”

DIANE BENDALL

My name is Diane Bendall and I was born and raised in South Africa. I relocated to the U.K. five years ago due to South Africa becoming unsafe as a result of an upsurge in violent crime.  My work comprises of various mixed media including painting, thread on canvas and sculpture.

As humans, we are mortal, and subjects such as life and death fascinate us. I am particularly interested in the fragility of life and how most of us take it for granted. Through my work I have attempted to depict this fragility of life by using materials such as bread dough which is fragile and has a finite lifespan.