Jagoda Bednarsky's (b. Zlotoryja Poland 1988 lives and works in Berlin) paintings are
pop-cultural and nostalgic borrowings that she transfers into the grotesque register with
allusions to stereotyped role models between hypermasculinity and matriarchy. Unfurling
pastel-colored hillscapes composed of breasts breast pumps vulvas figures from Greek myth
and motifs from flora and fauna Bednarsky's Shadowland series interrogates traditional ideas
of femininity and motherhood. The depiction of the female breast serves as a metaphor referring
to the titular Shadowland where this part of the body is still perceived as a sexualized
object rather than as natural. The title one might note is borrowed from a culture magazine
first published in New York in 1919 in which the artist spotted Art Deco illustrations that
became a vital source of inspiration. Despite the dense aggregation of fraught symbols and
referential gestures the sensual poetic and richly imaginative works exude a lightness that
stems from their translucency and subtle irony. The comprehensive volume presents Bednarsky's
works from between 2018 and 2023 and a singular conversation with the artist. Jagoda Bednarsky
studied fine arts first at Kunsthochschule Kassel (2008-2009) then at HfBK Städelschule
Frankfurt am Main with Michael Krebber and Monika Baer (2009-2014).
