Crucifixion II

Ukrzyżowanie II by Kamil Kuskowski (born in 1973) is one of several paintings from the Ukrzyżowania series, painted by the artist in 2001. All the works created as part of the series have a similar structure. Their layout and format refer to the shape of the horizontal beam of the crucifix. On both sides of the paintings, the artist depicts the pierced hands of Christ reproduced from the most famous paintings, while in the central parts he places English-language inscriptions denoting contemporary sins, such as corruption , intolerance , materialism , hypocrisy , nepotism and fanaticism . Ukrzyżowanie II, which was acquired for the collection of the National Museum in Szczecin in 2013, depicts the last of the above sins. In the sides, the artist used reproductions of fragments of Matthias Grünewald's painting from the Crucifixion scene located in the central part of the Isenheim Altar, believed to be a masterpiece of late medieval religious art. Developing artistic concepts in extended series and citing well-known works of art are characteristic features of Kuskowski's works. In many of his works, the artist plays a smart game with the tradition of painting, focusing on the dilemmas and notions inherent to the domain of art. In Ukrzyżowania, the artist plays the role of a perceptive and critical observer of reality – this time focusing his attention beyond art, on the contemporary world of social relations and its major sins. Kuskowski has won many prestigious awards. His Ukrzyżowania series were awarded an honourable mention in 2003 at the 6th Eugeniusz Geppert National Painting Competition in Wrocław – one of the most important painting competitions in Poland.

Magdalena Lewoc