The works of Helena Parys – despite their aesthetic consistency – elude clear categorization. The very title of the exhibition, whose implicit function is to lead the viewer to a specific trail, when translated does not seem to make the situation any easier. The English word dummy has not just one, but a whole range of meanings; aware of this fact, the artist allows us to look at her works through the prism of such notions as fool, mannequin, mockup or deception.
The ambiguity about which party is experiencing the deception mentioned above is right. The dummy can be both me – the viewer, who brings their own beliefs to the painting – and the figure of the artist, located in her own paintings. The role of the self-portrait, inherent in each of the works on display, is by no means to take over all the lights and direct them to herself. More than meritum, it appears as a link between the depicted world and the viewer. The female figure facing us seems to be saying: everything you see fits into one person. When we make eye contact again, she adds: I am here, but I am looking at you; isn’t it the case that we are both here?

About what is here and where it is located, we must decide for ourselves. The artist provides us with many clues for this purpose: from the realistic style of the paintings to the symbolism woven into the scenes – free and unobtrusive, working more intuitively than literally. So not only do we have the tools, but also the freedom (both in interpretation and in locating the world on any of the maps available to us).

The places we look at are existing and discovered, and we should not assume that we are visiting them first. Nevertheless, we are not intruders. Pulling off someone else’s nails by a naked woman, expresses itself as consent to share the world and fate with her. It doesn’t matter how you feel about it. It is enough that you are here.

Parys’ paintings speak, establish a dialogue and occasionally decide to express an opinion. The figurative language they use lets us know that – despite everything – we are still at home. We guess what the objects and people inside the painting feel; we know the chill that pierces our feet, and we know how warmly hair can wrap around us. So it is worth asking ourselves whether the depicted world ever happened outside of us? It is equally important to leave this question open.

In her works, the artist often chooses to use 3D objects – both as a complement to the painting and as a stand-alone exhibit. The result is a progressive blurring of the boundary between conjecture and the real and familiar. Playing with the notion of fiction skillfully mimics the sensation that occurs during sleep, when the experienced states do not go hand in hand with the guarantee that they were triggered by something real. However, in the case of Parys, the recurring question: what is real? does not disappear with waking up – instead, it functions as an intrinsic and ever-living element of her work, challenging every newly erected boundary between fiction and truth.

Author of the text: Karolina Krasny

Art Agenda Nova has been on the market since 2002 and is aiming at cooperation with young and debuting artists, being at the beginning of their creative way, often still during their studies. It supports, motivates and leads artists, helping them build their position in Poland and abroad. It is at Art Agenda Nova that their career takes shape and develops. Besides that, for the last 14 years the gallery showcases and researches the most interesting appearances of young contemporary art, supports experimental artistic projects and cooperates with established creators and institutions, presenting art in search for new means of expression, promoting interdisciplinary actions, new technologies, video, paint installations, objects. Art Agenda Nova focuses on conceptual art, strongly connected with a man and an object, often presenting paintings referring to realism. The gallery is active on Polish and international auctions, coorganizes exhibitions and overlooks multiple interdisciplinary projects. It also cooperates with young curators, critics and representatives of culture. Art Agenda Nova is a center for creative discussions, realizing projects going outside the box and the development of Cracow’s young art scene.

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