January-February 2025: Agnieszka Charuba
Note: due to logistical issues, this exhibition begins in mid-January but ends at the end of February.
Inflow, from “Freedom From”
Project Information
In a time marked by pressing challenges—environmental, economic, and existential—we stand at a pivotal moment of profound change and imminent transformation.
The “Freedom From” project is a poetic exploration of the structures that define contemporary society and the possibilities for its reimagining. Inspired by Erich Fromm’s reflections on the “escape from freedom,” it delves into shifts in collective values, the potential for new societal frameworks, and the fragile balance between individual autonomy and collective belonging. It raises questions about freedom, conformity, security, and the transformative power of counterculture, social activism, and the creation of new communities.
At the heart of this visual narrative lies an old, crumbling Irish farm—a space inhabited by a group of individuals bound by shared dreams of an alternative future. Together, they imagine an “anarchic,” artistic community, navigating the tension between utopian ideals and the constraints of reality. Their efforts to construct a new structure, both literal and metaphorical, push against boundaries of budget, form, and convention, reaching toward the vision of a revolutionary or utopian wonderland.
As a witness to their lives, I do not seek to provide answers. Instead, I weave a narrative that reflects the intersection of my imagination and their reality. Moments of harmony and longing for an ideal future, infused with myths, beliefs, and the promise of a New Earth, coexist with instances of chaos, struggle, and human fragility.
This journey has also been a confrontation with myself. Immersed in this shared experience, I found myself drawn into my own subconscious—rediscovering forgotten dreams and fears, confronting illusions and uncertainties. This project became a mirror of my transformation, a process of reconnecting with the fragments of imagination and wonder lost in the routines of adulthood.
“Freedom From” is a meditation on boundaries—between the tangible and the intangible, the rational and the mystical. It is an invitation to explore the spaces where form dissolves, balance shifts, and definitions blur. It is an act of reaching for the mystery embedded in places, in time, and within ourselves.
This project seeks to illuminate the weight of our current moment, to open a space for reflection on the sweeping changes around us, and to imagine the possibilities of what could come. Above all, it seeks to touch the unspoken emotions hidden within us, offering a lens through which to see the fractures and potential in both our world and ourselves.
Artist biography
Agnieszka Charuba (b. 1982) is a Polish visual artist and photographer who boldly experiments with form in her work. She graduated from the Faculty of Architecture at Wrocław University of Science and Technology and completed the Mentorship Program at Sputnik Photos, which provided her with a strong technical and artistic foundation. While residing in Poland, she connects her artistic journey with Ireland, where she collaborates with independent artists and art practitioners, drawing inspiration from the richness of local culture.
Her work is inspired by Eastern philosophy, mysticism, and animistic beliefs, leading her to explore the nature of the human mind. Charuba also investigates the intersections between personal experiences and broader cultural and social narratives, creating works that resonate on multiple levels. In her photography, mystery, ambiguity, and understatement are key elements, which she views as essential tools for gaining a deeper understanding of herself and others.
For her, photography is not just a medium for recording reality but primarily a tool for introspection and dialogue, one that opens new interpretative spaces and encourages viewers to reflect on the hidden aspects of human existence.
Agnieszka’s Website 1, Agnieszka’s Website 2
What is OKNO gallery?
OKNO (“window” in Polish) is a tiny one-window gallery overlooking the busy Shore area in Edinburgh, UK. It faces the bridge over the Water of Leith, and attracts attention of folks moving through this busy area.
Each month, Wojtek Kutyla, a visual artist working from the studio where the OKNO gallery is located, gives the space to one artist from outside Scotland who presents a single image and an invitation to see more online. The gallery exists to bring international talent to Scotland — and to build a connection between its hermetic photographic circles and the world. Just as the opening of a window brings a breath of fresh air, OKNO shows work that could be otherwise unrecognised in Scotland.
All work is presented free of charge (Wojtek handles printing at zero cost to the artist) and is available for purchase at the end of the display period. All money from the purchase goes to the author. If the work is not purchased or collected by the author, it is destroyed.
If you want to exhibit your work in the OKNO gallery, send an email to Wojtek.
To follow all upcoming exhibitions in the OKNO gallery, follow Wojtek Kutyla on Instagram and monitor the hashtag of #OKNOEdinburgh.
Past exhibitions
- October 2024: Josephine Tomaszewska
- November 2024: Małgorzata Bilicka
- December 2024: Pohl Kostian