A meeting with Zbigniew Podsiadlo in Krakow

On 12 February 2011, in Krakow, at the initiative of the photographic Group Athanor, an evening with a photographer Zbigniew Podsiadlo was held. A crowd of photo-enthusiasts had the opportunity to see works from some of the most well known series such as “Łemkowyna", "Identity Space", "Province" and "Industrial Cathedral" shown in the form of multimedia presentations. The presentations were, in a way, an announcement of and invitation to the exhibition of Zbigniew Podsiadlo's artistic work planned for the autumn this year in Krakow.

The author spun stories about his photographs, his inspirations, circumstances of the photographic creation and his life as a photographer in the way that the mood evoked did not let the guests go home until late hours.

Podsiadlo's photographs are black and white, perfect technically and universal in the message they bring into the world. The pictures show the topics, which are not at all popular, which we would rather forget about in the contemporary delight of plastic artifice, devotion to youth and fear of old, age. In the subtle and discreet shots Podsiadlo expresses not just memories from the picturesque or intriguing places but deep reflections about timeless issues that are enchanted in his images. Unobtrusive, quiet and considerate manner of narration makes it impossible to remain indifferent to these photographs. The work of Zbigniew Podsiadlo, full of questions and personal thoughts on the transience of life are of timeless dimension. With the striking reality of these images we are involved into the circle of the author's observations and reflections, which evoke our own.

Contrasts, light and shadows paint in Podsiadlo's photographs metaphysical mood. Whereas old walls, roads often present in the images, elderly faces or chapels captured by the lens are like tribute paid to the forgotten places, trying to preserve them for posterity. The world seen by Podsiadlo is simply beautiful, but in this simplicity the author shows and reminds us that life and the world should be deeply respected, both in a human as well as in a stone we pass by. People, who are shown in his work, are natural and real. And although so very different from the popular tabloid products of mass culture, they go straight into our hearts just because of their authenticity and sincere simplicity.

Intuitively we feel that in his photography Podsiadlo is not a watcher and collector, but that he is immersed with genuine fascination and curiosity in the world he shows. Coming into a close and profound contact with people, architecture and nature, the artist makes them come to life on photographic paper.