Malgorzata Mirga-Tas

Sisters / Romani Kali Daj III / Three Graces / Second hand/ On the Way / Romnija

Women of different ages, quietly gathering together over a coffee, playing cards, patching or sewing, resting, smoking, are depicted in Małgorzata Mirga-Tas’s powerful portraits. Recombining patterned fabrics or collaging textiles over paintings, Mirga-Tas’s works reclaim the artistic value of decoration. Patchwork is a method of image-making which she applies in her works as well as in the workshops she leads with children and youth from Roma communities. She produces eye-catching pictures defined by skillfully drawn silhouettes, perfectly matched patterns of fabrics, striking colors, and detailed ornamentation. The choice of materials is closely tied to the subjects of her textiles and paintings, women from Roma communities to whom her works are largely dedicated. Reflecting on their role and place, Mirga-Tas employs fabrics and patterns from their immediate surroundings. Used clothes that were once worn by members of her family or community find a new life in her paintings. Bridging art with everyday life, Mirga-Tas captures her subjects in their day-to-day activities. Collective moments are often depicted in her works, women sharing tasks or spending time together, experiences that come across as treasured and enjoyable. Her work brings back the concept of “femmage” that Miriam Schapiro and Melissa Meyer once coined for the feminist collage, where materials and themes pertaining to the feminine sphere of life and culture are interlinked. AR

 

Małgorzata Mirga-Tas (b. 1978, Zakopane) is based in Czarna Góra. She studied Sculpture at Academy of Fine Arts, Kraków. She is an artist, activist, educator, and the author of multiple projects aimed at Roma communities, i.e. “Romani Click”, “Romani Art” or “Jaw Dikh! International Event of Roma and not Roma Art in Czarna Gora”. She received the American government scholarship, International Visitor Leadership Promoting Social Good Through the Arts (2014). She participated in the International Sculpture Symposium in Brno (2011 and 2017). She received distinction at the 42nd Painting Biennial Bielska Jesień (2015). She works in a variety of media including painting, collage, sculpture and installation. She finds inspiration in her Bergitka Roma roots. In 2018 received an artistic scholarship from the Polish Ministry of Culture to continue her work. She had exhibitions in Krakow, Wrocław, Warsaw, Brno, Bratislava, Skopije, Berlin, Vilnius, Strasbourg, Nairobi, among others.