Paweł Pilarczyk – a street photographer from Szczyrk, psychology student, and a keen observer of urban life. In his work, he focuses on capturing seemingly ordinary everyday moments, in which he discovers both authentic and imagined emotional states of his subjects. He places them within the context of urban infrastructure, often highlighting the relationship between people and the spaces they inhabit. His images form a subjective, emotional narrative rooted in personal experiences, yet they maintain a consistent and distinctive style. In 2025, he made his debut with the exhibition PRZEJŚCIE at Galeria Bielska BWA.
“Here” and “Not Here”
The photography exhibition by Paweł Pilarczyk, titled “To Tu” (“Here”), revolves around a single, seemingly ordinary location in Bielsko-Biała – a pedestrian crossing. This crossing serves as the main point of reference for the artist, who has a deeply personal connection to it, one he cannot rationally explain, yet his inner sense tells him that “this is the place.”
Each photograph presents the crossing in various moods and perspectives, complemented by candid images of passersby caught mid-transition. The artist focuses on their potential emotions and possible motivations, weaving a surreal narrative about the transience of moments and the diversity of people, sometimes united only by the fact that they found themselves right here.
The exhibition “To nie Tu” (“Not Here”) offers a broader perspective on the “To Tu” (“Here”) series, moving beyond a single pedestrian crossing and directing the viewer’s attention to selected, meaningful locations across Bielsko-Biała. As in the first exhibition, people complement the compositions, and the artist’s distinctive approach seeks to convey an open interpretation of their thoughts, moods, and emotions.
Paweł Pilarczyk has been connected to the city since childhood, and in his work, he presents it as a place full of contradictions. In his photographs, Bielsko-Biała appears simultaneously as a city in constant motion and one immersed in nostalgia and stagnation. The artist invites viewers to reflect on the dynamics of urban life and its impact on residents, revealing the unique atmosphere of Bielsko-Biała through his personal lens.
Exhibitions under the patronage of the foundation:
