H2Flow RE:Incarnated
by
Paulina Czyz
10 March to 4 April 2025
Open View 13 March @ 7:00 PM
H2Flow RE:Incarnated is a continuation of the 'INCARNATIONS' project, reimagining one of its themes in black and white. This series offers a close-up on the art of movement, drawing inspiration from 'The Phoenix’ incarnation, feat. Breakin’ and Lindy Hop dancer Sunanda Biswas and the culture she represents through dance. While ‘The Phoenix’, represents fire and rebirth in original “INCARNATIONS’ series, 'H2Flow’ photographs focus on water, highlighting the fluidity and transformation symbolized by water and the dancer, feat. Uma Vanderpuye. ‘B&W’ series are a meditation on the flow of life itself and capture water not only as a subject, but also as an active participant in creating visual and emotional narratives. It examines how fluidity is mirrored in both natural and human-made actions. Both projects culminate in the 'INCARNATIONS' book, which unites photographs, short story, and a music soundtrack, creating a cohesive artistic journey.
'INCARNATIONS' photographs recently developed into a photo & song self - published book created by photographer Paulina Czyż and rapper & storyteller Carl Guifo Guifo (AMP Medley). This work explores how people see each other and how awareness of those perceptions may help us learn more about ourselves. The artwork presents the viewer with a multi-sensory narrative experience using intertextual storytelling and unusual story structure, inspired by classic allegories such as Plato’s Cave, Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland.
This piece features 8 working artists based in the UK each working in different artistic disciplines. Paulina and Carl imagine them within the narrative as fantastical and archetypal characters, whom they call ‘Incarnations’. Some of the story’s characters include the godfather of UK Rap Rodney Panton (Rodney P) as ‘The Machine, Breakin’ and Lindy Hop dancer and London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony choreographer Sunanda Biswas (B-girl Sun Sun) as ‘The Phoenix’, make-up artist to Hollywood blockbusters such as ‘Napoleon’ & ‘Gladiator 2’ Juliana Ferreira as ‘The Krishna’ and last but not least the enigmatic figure of Banksy also swings by to have his picture taken as ‘The Joker’.
Paulina Czyż commented: “This project is a tribute to the vast and diverse array of subcultures and artistic movements expressed within this dynamic city of London. Photographed between years 2017 - 2023, ‘Incarnations’ started as a documentary series but has since evolved into a portraiture studio-based project. I incorporated body painting and set design to add detail and individuality to each composition. Additionally, handmade costumes and props designed and created by myself played a role in elevating the narrative and thematic elements of my portraits. I completed a series of 8 “Incarnation” portraits using models from the art of emceeing (poetry & rap), technology (djing & photography), movement (dance & martial arts) and illustration (graffiti & body painting).”
AMP Medley commented: “I created songs to compliment the visuals that Paulina produced. The songs were inspired by the symbolism apparent to me inherent within the subjects' depictions… for example, ‘The Phoenix’ and the theme of rebirth, or ‘The Machine’ and the philosophical questions new technologies present to us. The short story I developed, to connect the Incarnations together, utilises and subverts a concept known as the ‘Hero's Journey’. Popularised by Joseph Campbell, he posits that every story follows certain conventions not by design but by necessity, an arc all protagonists must go through to complete a story.”
Paulina Czyż is a freelance photographer and qualified photography teacher based in London UK. As well as a degree in Journalism Paulina undertook two years of Postgraduate Photography Studies at University of Arts, London College of Communication. She has expertise in commercial photography, but is dedicated to fine art photography and currently splits her time between working at Morley College and WM College, where she lectures creative digital photography, fashion, portrait and commercial photography. She also facilitates photography consultations and independent workshops for various independent businesses and individuals. These forums afford her the opportunity of passing her knowledge and skills on to both adults and the next generation, while allowing her enough freedom to continue providing freelance photography work and creative artistic projects. She exhibited in various venues and galleries in London such as: The Sassoon Gallery, Gabriel Fine Art Gallery, Morley Gallery, Patchworks, Gallery 1885 and during ‘Photomonth’ photography festival. She also featured her work at art fairs such as ‘Parallax Art Fair’ in London and ‘Artbox Projects’ in New York.
Join us on 13 March for the Open View of H2Flow RE:Incarnated from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.