The second edition of the New Wave Photography exhibition recognises the rise of contemporary photography from the CEE region. From 19th to 27th April the Crypt Gallery in London will host 12 artists, exhibiting fine art photography from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. Surrealism, minimalist landscape, classical nude photography, gum print, lomography and digital montage demonstrate the diversity of the work on display. Hungarian photographers Benedek Bognár and Zoltán Békefy both draw inspiration from classical imagery while creating something completely new, while the Polish artist Maciej Boksa specialises in photographs intended to guide the viewer into an alternative perception of reality. Martin Hruška is showing a collection of his marine life photographs. Lucie Jestrabikova’s photos have been created by using her body to create fascinating abstract compositions, while Réka Kóti explores the creative boundaries of Lomography. Where Slovakian artist Veronika Otepková proves that digital photography can be both innovative and classically beautiful, Polish photographer Przemys?aw Kuci?ski uses a 19th century technique called gum print to create black and white nude images. The New Wave Photography 2013 exhibition will be on display from 19-27 April 2013 at the Crypt gallery in London.

Website: United Creativity

Press Release

NEW WAVE PHOTOGRAPHY 2013
19-27 APRIL, THE CRYPT GALLERY, LONDON

The second edition of the New Wave Photography exhibition is brought to London by United Creativity, an organisation representing emerging contemporary photographers from Central and Eastern Europe.  Following the success of the 2012 edition,  this year’s exhibition recognises the rise of contemporary photography from the CEE region. From 19th to 27th April the Crypt Gallery in London will host 12 artists, exhibiting fine art photography from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. Surrealism, minimalist landscape, classical nude photography, gum print, lomography and digital montage demonstrate the diversity of the work on display.

United Creativity is committed to selling affordable art both at their exhibitions and through their on line gallery. Represented artists are provided with a platform to exhibit their work and to excel at the beginning of their careers. All works on display are limited edition prints, selling up to a maximum 30 images per photograph and represent a strong collectors value. The prices which range from £120 make fine art photography accessible for all who wish to add to their private collections or work spaces. New Wave Photography introduces art enthusiasts to contemporary photography, providing visitors with an opportunity to purchase within the gallery space.

The Crypt Gallery, situated in the historic catacombs of St.Pancras church, proves to be a perfectly contrasting venue for this vibrant exhibition. The photographs on display satisfy and confound expectations of Eastern European photography, demonstrating ideas that are both experimental and highly ambitious.

The opening night will be held on Thursday 18th April with the exhibition running from 19th - 27th April at the Crypt Gallery, London (opposite Euston train station). Entry is free.
After the London event, New Wave Photography will move to Krakow where the exhibition will continue from 13th June - 29th July 2013.
For more information visit the website: www.unitedcreativity.org. To stay up-to-date please join facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/events/421091667977242/.

Artists:
Surrealism figures strongly at this exhibition with striking work from Hungarian artist Sarolta Bán. Her photographs show dream-like narratives through a series of digital montages. Sarolta has exhibited extensively throughout Japan, Luxembourg and Hungary and was recognised as 2011’s ‘Best Young Talent’ by Elle Magazine.

Benedek Bognar’s photographs epitomise the experimental spirit of the exhibition. His series   ‘Interrogation’ was created using a baggage inspection device. The X-ray images suggest an intriguing narrative through a number of incriminating objects. The work draws inspiration from the painting ‘The Seven Deadly Sins’ by Hieronymus Bosch.

Slovakian photographer, Zoltan Bekefy is another artist who draws inspiration from classical imagery, yet he manages to transform his grande landscapes into contemporary minimalist scenes. His adopted home in Ireland is the source of inspiration, photographing subtle black and white landscapes of turbulent seas and dramatic headlands.

Maciej Boksa is originally from Kielce, Poland. He graduated from the School of Creative Photography in Krakow. He creates abstract forms, focusing on enigma, reflection and contrast. His series “Doors of Perception” (2010-2013) is an example of macro graphics. ‘The photographs are intended to guide the viewer into an alternative perception of reality. While they try to imitate the beauty of dreamlike visions, they create a new dimension of imagination. It takes the viewer into a microscopic world - elusive and ethereal, imperceptible in everyday life.’

Martin Hruška, originally from Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic is showing a collection of his marine life photographs. ‘Underwater photography is the only way that a diver can share his experiences under the surface with others. These pictures were taken at different coral reefs in the Caribbean Sea. Schools of fish, Turtles, Stingrays, Angelfish are only small part of this colourful underwater world’. Martin has been photographing wildlife and landscapes since 2005.

Lucie Jestrabikova’s photographs have been created by using her body to create fascinating abstract compositions. Digital techniques in photoshop have allowed her to combine two of her artistic skills: ‘My photography is more like painting than photography. Like a painter I use the movement of my body to make strokes and create the pictures. Then in post-production I have created the final compositions’. Lucie studied New Media at the Institute of Art, University of West Bohemia in Pilsen. She works with a variety of media including photography, video, performance, painting and drawing.

Reka Koti explores the creative boundaries of Lomography (an analogue technique, inspired by the effects of the Lomo Kompakt Automat camera). Her series ‘Driftwoods’ shows influences from fashion photography and figurative painting. Her work has featured in American Iconology and at the Pecha Kucha exhibition, Ludwig Museum of Contemporary Art, Budapest.

Slovakian artist, Veronika Otepková proves that digital photography can be both innovative and classically beautiful. She draws most of her inspiration from historical events and poetry. Despite her traditional inclinations she is undaunted by the possibilities of digital manipulation. Her use of textures and tone mapping creates an oil paint surface on which she composes her images.

Despite the wealth of digital mastery on display there is also some refined traditional techniques on offer,  including work by Polish photographer Przemys?aw Kuci?ski. He uses a 19th century handmade technique called gum print to create black and white nude images. By using a combination of chemicals a gum, paint-like surface is produced. The original images were developed on canvas. “All That I Love is not only a title of the series, it also refers to the whole process of producing the work.”

Pawel Piotrowski’s digital series The Absolute Brightness was developed over a three year period. The photographs represent an epic perspective of art, philosophy, psychology and religion. ‘The main inspiration for me was the natural processes and spirituality at every level of existence. Only after some time I realised how much I was consumed by the work. I realised how deeply it reflects my inner state.’

Karel Vojkovský specialises in studio based nude photography. Originally from Frýdek-Místek in the Czech Republic, he has worked for the last 10 years as a professional photographer in Prague. His intent to study the ‘dynamic extent of the human body’ has pushed his models to the limits. ‘I see the human body as a machine enabling me to consider forms from a different point of view, not looking for sexuality and desire rather perceiving them as a tool of my creativity. I know that everybody is unique. I’m fascinated by human movement and the grace of shapes.’ Karel has exhibited throughout Europe in Croatia, Poland, Austria and the Czech Republic and has recently received the gold award at the 7th International Salon photography competition in the Ukraine.
 
Miroslav Zselinsky’s series In Bloom, depicts a kaleidoscopic world of dead, withered flowers. ‘The appearing forms encourage the viewer to make associations. On the other hand, the pictures were inspired by flowers, which used to be vivid, but later withered and are reborn as new, organic forms.’ Practicing as a photographer and graphic designer, Miroslav, originally from Slovakia, is now based in Budapest. His work has been shown at several solo and group exhibitions in Hungary, Slovakia, Italy and Belgium. He is a member of the Studio of Young Photographers.

Curators:
Maria Loades, Edward Loades

New Wave Photography 2013
The Crypt Gallery, London
19 -27 April 2013
12am – 7pm, Free Entry
Opening Night: 18th April 7pm

Sponsors:
Vertus, Antyramy.eu, Loades EcoPark,  Szymon Gosty?ski Law Firm, Reklamex,

Supporting Institutions:
The Royal Photographic Society, Polish Cultural Institute, Czech Centre, Embassy of Slovak Republic in London, Balassi Institute- Hungarian Cultural Centre, Sotheby’s Institute of Art, Cracow School of Art and Fashion Design.

Media Partners:
GUP, Silvershotz, Flash Art, Aesthetica, Image in Progress, F-Stop Magazine, DE Magazine, ePhotoZine, Camera Obscura, Art Guide East.

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