Karol Bagiński Retreat
Opening: 16 May 2026 at 6.00 pm
MOLSKI FOUNDATION invites you to the opening of an exhibition by Karol Bagiński, winner of the first edition of the “Projekt Garaż” competition, titled “Retreat.”
“Retreat” here is not a simple gesture of withdrawal, but a multifaceted process—a tension between decision and suspension, between moving backward and refusing to follow a prescribed direction. It may signify a moment of pause and a conscious change of course, but also an attempt to regain distance from the pressure of constant growth, productivity, and self-improvement. In this sense, it becomes not so much resignation as a tool for reclaiming agency.
A recurring motif in the artist’s work is reversal—both in formal and symbolic terms. Two figures occupy a central place: the Hoopoe and Caligula. The Hoopoe, suspended upside down, exists in a state of apparent instability, yet remains calm and composed. Its opposite is Caligula—standing firmly on the ground, yet gradually descending into chaos and loss of control. This juxtaposition reveals a tension between reversal as a possibility and its oversight as a critical moment—the point at which “retreat” ceases to be available.
“Retreat” can also be interpreted as a gesture directed toward painting practice itself. Bagiński returns to an earlier stage of his work—more intuitive, synthetic, and free from layered conceptual structures. This is not, however, a nostalgic return, but a conscious attempt to simplify the language and open it to new interpretations, in which the viewer gains greater interpretive space.
An important thread is also the relationship with the past. The artist treats it not as a closed set of references, but as a living source of inspiration. He draws on history to extract experiences and images that—though rooted in different realities—resonate with the present and allow it to be viewed from another perspective.
The exhibition will present a dozen or so paintings and painted objects created over the past two years. Together, they form a multi-layered narrative in which “retreat” does not lead to a single resolution, but opens a space for negotiation—between movement and stillness, control and its loss, return and the possibility of beginning anew.
The opening will take place as part of the Night of Museums, on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 6:00 PM. The official award ceremony for the winner will also be held during the event.
“Projekt Garaż” is an initiative aimed at young artists, designed to support their development and create a platform for presenting the latest painting practices. In the first edition of the competition, the winner was selected by a jury consisting of: Michał Molski, Krzysztofa Kornacka, Stach Szabłowski, Paulina Ostałowska, Alek Hudzik, and Radosław Kotarski. The winner’s exhibition will be accompanied by a presentation of works by all finalists of this edition.
Opening: May 16, 2026, 6:00 PM
Exhibition: May 16 – June 19, 2026