Breaking Borders: Launch of Homeland Photobook /  by Paulina Korobkiewicz

I am thrilled to invite you to celebrate the launch of my photobook and exhibition catalogue Homeland at Centrala, Birmingham, on Saturday, November 9th.

'Homeland' is the culmination of an 18-month journey as an artist-in-residence at Centrala, part of the “Post-Socialist Britain?” research project, a collaboration between Birmingham University and Nottingham Trent University, supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council.

During my residency, I had the privilege of connecting, mentoring, and collaborating with talented photographers to capture unique perspectives on the concept of home. This photobook features the work of artists Sylwia Ciszewska-Peciak (@sylwia_ciszewska_peciak), Yuxi Hou (@ciciyx_), Ismail Khokon (@ismaildiverse), Marcin Forys, and myself, exploring themes of migration, belonging, and memory.

We will mark this special launch event with “Breaking Borders,” a public gathering that is part of the Being Human Festival (@BeingHumanFest). This event commemorates two significant anniversaries: the fall of the Berlin Wall (1989) and the Eastern expansion of the European Union (2004). 

As part of the celebration, current artist-in-residence Dr. Nela Milic will lead an interactive multimedia workshop, inviting participants to share their reflections on these historical events. Following this, I will introduce 'Homeland', exploration of migrant experiences in West Bromwich and Hyson Green. The evening will also feature an authentic Polish food experience for guests to enjoy!

To conclude, pianist Salome Chitaia (@SChitaia) will perform selected works by Chopin, including Waltz in A-flat Major, Op. 69,Barcarolle, Op. 60, and Ballade No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 23.

I look forward to welcoming you to Centrala on November 9th!

hashtag#Centrala hashtag#BeingHumanFestival hashtag#BookLaunch hashtag#Homeland hashtag#PolishFood hashtag#CEEus hashtag#Piano hashtag#CommunityMatters hashtag#LetsCreate

Women and the Photobook Library @ Bristol’s Photobook Festival /  by Paulina Korobkiewicz

Thank you to Emma Davies and Philippa James for including my books in the Woman and the Photobook library! Disco Polo photobook is almost sold out, but you can still view it alongside other brilliant publications today and tomorrow at the pop-up reading room at Paintworks, as a part of BOP - Bristol’s Photobook Festival. Grateful for this opportunity—come by and explore this incredible travelling collection of photobooks by women!

Rethinking Eastern Europe @ Brighton Photo Fringe 2024 /  by Paulina Korobkiewicz

Dates: 5 Oct – 17 Nov  

Open: Wed-Sun, 12-5pm (closed Mon-Tue)  

Location: Phoenix Art Space, 10-14 Waterloo Place, Brighton BN2 9NB  

FREE Entry  

Artists: Marcelina Amelia & Grupa Łono, Laura Bivolaru, Eve Gill, Vera Hadzhiyska, Viktoriia Hrysa, Lina Ivanova, Ksenia Kazintseva, Paulina Korobkiewicz, Ioana Marinca, Katie McCraw, Nastassja Nefjodov, Patricia Petersen, Zula Rabikowska, Ania Ready, Diana Serban, Erika Nina Suárez

Curated by Zula Rabikowska and Vera Hadzhiyska

Brighton Photo Fringe 2024 Collectives Hub: Common Ground /  by Paulina Korobkiewicz

We’re so excited to bring our group exhibition “Rethinking Eastern Europe” to Brighton’s Photo Fringe 2024. “Rethinking Eastern Europe” presents a reimagined perspective of Eastern Europe, breaking down stereotypes and celebrating the region’s diverse identities, histories, and traditions. Through photography, film, sculpture, and visual art, we explore themes of identity, memory, and shared heritage. Our work reflects a deep understanding of Eastern Europe’s past while creating dialogue between tradition and contemporary life.

Dates: 5 Oct – 17 Nov  

Open: Wed-Sun, 12-5pm (closed Mon-Tue)  

Location: Phoenix Art Space, 10-14 Waterloo Place, Brighton BN2 9NB  

FREE Entry  

Artists: Marcelina Amelia & Grupa Łono, Laura Bivolaru, Eve Gill, Vera Hadzhiyska, Viktoriia Hrysa, Lina Ivanova, Ksenia Kazintseva, Paulina Korobkiewicz, Ioana Marinca, Katie McCraw, Nastassja Nefjodov, Patricia Petersen, Zula Rabikowska, Ania Ready, Diana Serban, Erika Nina Suárez

A special thank you to Zula Rabikowska and Vera Hadzhiyska for their wonderful curatorial work.

Following an open call, eight photography collectives have been selected for this year's Collectives Hub exhibition at Phoenix Art Space, each presenting a different approach to image-making and to this year’s festival theme “Common Ground”.

An important part of Photo Fringe since 2014, the Collectives Hub has consistently formed one of the most visible, visited and critically acclaimed exhibitions of our biennial festival.

The collectives are :

  • Brighton Queer Photographers Collective

  • Emic Collective

  • Flowers of Lilith

  • HOLD

  • Iris Collective

  • London Alternative Photography Collective

  • MAP6

  • Rethinking Eastern Europe

Homeland Photobook Launch in Birmingham /  by Paulina Korobkiewicz

Unit 4 Minerva Works, 158 Fazeley Street, Birmingham B5 5RT

I’m thrilled to share that my photobook "Homeland" will officially launch at Centrala Space on November 9th, from 2-5 pm!

This event marks the culmination of an 18-month journey as an artist-in-residence at Centrala as part of the "Post-Socialist Britain?" research project, a collaboration between University of Birmingham and Nottingham Trent University, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).

During my residency, I had the pleasure of meeting, mentoring, and collaborating with talented photographers, whom I invited to contribute their unique perspectives on the concept of home. Featuring the remarkable works of Yuxi Hou, Sylwia Ciszewska Peciak, Ismail Khokon, and Marcin Forys, "Homeland" explores themes of migration, belonging, identity, and memory within our communities. Each photographer brought their own vision and creativity to the project, making this photobook and exhibition catalogue a rich and diverse exploration of what "home" means.

Join us for the book launch event at Centrala. The photobooks will be available for purchase at Centrala bookshop. Don’t miss it!

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to and supported this project.

Title: Homeland

Author: Paulina Korobkiewicz

Photography Credits: Paulina Korobkiewicz, Sylwia Ciszewska-Peciak, Yuxi Hou, Ismail Khokon Marcin Forys

Publisher: Centrala

Date and place: Birmingham, 2024

Format: Soft Back

Edition: 200 copies

Size: 16,5 x 23,5 cm

Number of pages: 168

Editor: Centrala, Nana Katsia, Paulina Korobkiewicz

Texts: Rafailia Thiraiou, Sara Jones, Alicja Kaczmarek

Designer: Alexandra Demina

Technical Support for Pre-Printing: David Janiashvili

Stocklists: Centrala Birmingham

Printers: Beltrani

Collaborators: Centrala, University of Birmingham and Nottingham Trent University.

Funding Information:

The production of this book was supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). as part of the project Post-Socialist Britain: Memory, Representation and Political Identity amongst German, Polish and Ukrainian Immigrants in the UK (AH/V001779/1). A collaboration between the University of Birmingham, Nottingham Trent University, and Centrala.

ISBN: 978-0-704429-840-0

Les Rencontres d'Arles Photography Festival /  by Paulina Korobkiewicz

I am very excited to announce that the “Rethinking Eastern Europe” exhibition is coming to Les Rencontres d'Arles Photography Festival.

This event combines a group exhibition, film screenings and a discussion which will explore and rethink the meaning of "Eastern Europe" today. The event brings together 16 different artists from Poland, Romania, Russia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Germany, Denmark, UK, and USA working with photography, moving image, sculpture and performance.

This will be a mobile one-day exhibition on Friday 5th July. We will be changing locations, with impromptu stops and surprise appearances with a pop-up gathering in the evening. Tune in for more information and join us in the beautiful city of Arles for the second edition of Rethinking Eastern Europe.

Participating Artists:
Ania Ready
Diana Serban
Erika Nina Suárez
Ioana Marinca
Kasia Ślesińska
Katie McCraw
Ksenia Kazintseva
Laura Bivolaru
Lina Ivanova
Marcelina Amelia & Grupa Łono
Margarita Galandina
Nastassja Nefjodov
Patricia Petersen
Paulina Korobkiewicz
Vera Hadzhiyska
Zula Rabikowska

This event is organised in collaboration with Velophoto and Claudia Janke

Rethinking Eastern Europe: Group Show @ the Photo Book Cafe /  by Paulina Korobkiewicz

Exhibition curated and organised by Zula Rabikowska

Participating Artists:

Diana Serban, Erika Nina Suarez, Eve Gil, Hanna-Katrina Jedrosz, Ioana Marinca, Kasia Ślesińska, Katie McCraw, Ksenia Kazintseva, Laura Bivolaru, Lina Ivanova, Marcelina Amelia & Grupa Łono, Nastassja Nefjodov, Patricia Petersen, Paulina Korobkiewicz, Vera Hadzhiyska, Viktoriia Hrytsa, Zula Rabikowska

“Rethinking Eastern Europe”, 21 May 2024, Photo Book Cafe, 4 Leonard Circus, London EC2A 4DQ

Rethinking Eastern Europe: Group Show @ the Photo Book Cafe /  by Paulina Korobkiewicz

Curated by Zula Rabikowska, "Rethinking Eastern Europe" brings together 18 artists from Poland, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Germany, Denmark, UK, and Ukraine for an evening of film screenings, discussions and a group exhibition at the Photo Book Cafe on Tuesday 21st May.

Participating Artists:

Diana Serban, Erika Nina Suarez, Eve Gil, Hanna-Katrina Jedrosz, Ioana Marinca, Kasia Ślesińska, Katie McCraw, Ksenia Kazintseva, Laura Bivolaru, Lina Ivanova, Marcelina Amelia & Grupa Łono, Nastassja Nefjodov, Patricia Petersen, Paulina Korobkiewicz, Vera Hadzhiyska, Viktoriia Hrytsa, Zula Rabikowska

Image by Erika Nina Suarez

The schedule for the evening: 

18:30 – 19:00 Doors open
19:00 – 19:10 Welcome
19:10 – 19:35 Film Screenings
19:35 – 19:45 Break
19:45 – 20:45 Panel Discussion
20:45 – 21:00 Questions
21:00 Closing remarks + Mingle

Newham Through Our Lens /  by Paulina Korobkiewicz

I am starting a new commission in collaboration with Rosetta Arts, Centrala Space, Culture Within Newham, The Roma Support Group and Arts Council England. I will be leading a photography club serving as a platform to capture voices of the Eastern European migrants who have made Newham their home. Together, we will be working towards an exhibition that portrays the community and showcases the diverse perspectives and experiences. The club is free and open to All. Join us two Saturdays of the month!

Join us this Saturday at Beckton Globe Library for the first session of the Eastern European Photography Club: Newham Through Our Lens!


The club will serve as a platform for Central and Eastern Europeans in Newham to tell their unique stories through the art of photography.


Whether you're an experienced photographer or just starting out, join us for free sessions, hosted by Paulina Korobkiewicz, in capturing our stories in Newham.

Where: Beckton Globe Library, 1 Kingsford Way, London E6 5JQ

When: Two Saturdays a month, 10:30-12:30pm


20th January (this Saturday!), 3rd February, 24th February, 9th March, 23rd March, 20th April, 4th May, 18th May, 8th June, 22nd June, 29th June, Exhibition date tbc


Sign up here: https://shorturl.at/boCJ9

Crafting Collective Memory: Collage-Making Workshop /  by Paulina Korobkiewicz

Crafting Collective Memory: Explore ‘Homeland’ Through Art of Collage-Making with photographers and visual artists Ismail Khokon and Paulina Korobkiewicz

Massive thank you to everyone who joined our collage-making workshop in collaboration with Ismail Khokon in Nottingham's Surface last Saturday! We love the artworks you created!

This was our last session part of Post-Socialist Britain? my residency at Centrala this year.

'Homeland' exhibition closes this week. Swing by before Dec 16th to see these amazing contributions!

Homeland Opening @ Surface Gallery /  by Paulina Korobkiewicz

Fri 1 Dec - Sat 16 Dec 2023

Homeland exhibition opens at Surface Gallery, Nottigham this Friday, 1st Dec.

The show features photographs from Sylwia Ciszewska-Pecik, Yuxi Hou, Ismail Khokon, Marcin Forys, and the Central European Photography Club participants.

This project is the result of my 18 months of residency Centrala. During this time, I created a body of work between West Bromwich and Hyson Green, Nottingham. In both locations, I met brilliant artists whom I invited to contribute to the show.

Curated by Rafailia Thiraiou, Homeland explores ideas around home, memories, common national traits recognized by migrants, the role of their migrant community abroad, their position in it, concerns, aspirations, and how they have adapted.

Surface Gallery

16 Southwell Rd, Nottingham NG1 1DL

Free Entry

Sequencing and Storytelling with James Cunliffe /  by Paulina Korobkiewicz

Sequencing and Storytelling for Local Artists with Paulina Korobkiewicz and James Cunliffe

Calling all local professionals and artists! Join us for a zine-making workshop tailored for artists seeking to transform their work into captivating zines. Explore themes of identity, collective memory, and creating a portrait of a place as we learn about sequencing and storytelling. Bring images that resonate with your heritage or your connection to a meaningful place, or anything else you would like to make a zine out of. Exchange ideas and inspirations with fellow creatives during our artist networking drinks in the final hour. Come share your stories and forge new creative connections!

This workshop takes place on Monday, 13th November 6-9pm

To sign up to the free workshop visit the link ---> sign up here.

Zine-making workshops with Jaskirt Dhaliwal-Boora /  by Paulina Korobkiewicz

Exploring the Art of Zine Making with Jaskirt Dhaliwal-Boora and Paulina Korobkiewicz

Join us for an inspiring zine-making workshop, open to all, serving as a platform for Ukrainian migrants to tell unique stories through the art of photography and zine making. The workshops are a safe space to share ideas and experience where we’ll explore the multifaceted concept of ‘home’—what it means to us and the possibilities it holds. Bring along your treasured photos, whether they’re in print or digital format, that resonate with your personal notion of ‘home,’ and together, we’ll craft narratives that explore the rich tapestry of this theme. You’ll learn various stitching techniques and create your own handcrafted book to take with you, encapsulating your personal journey and reflections.

This workshop is a part of Paulina’s current exhibition here at Centrala ‘Homeland’. Homeland is departing from the research project Post-Socialist Britain?: Memory, Representation and Political Identity amongst German, Polish and Ukrainian Immigrants in the UK, a large-scale research project in collaboration with the University of Birmingham and the Nottingham Trent University exploring how and if memory is linked to political identity, and how this is manifested in a different national context.

This workshop takes place on Wednesday 25th October, 6-8pm for 18+ and Thursday 26th October, 1-3pm, children welcome.

To sign up to the free workshop visit the link (make sure you pick the date you want to attend) ---> sign up here.

Image courtesy of Angela Grabowska

Homeland Exhibition @ Centrala /  by Paulina Korobkiewicz

A touring exhibition exploring themes of political identity, belonging, memory and representation. 

Centrala is pleased to present Homeland, an exhibition following an 18-month residency of the photographer and visual artist Paulina Korobkiewicz. The exhibition opening will take place on the 6th of October at Centrala Gallery, Birmingham and on the 1st of December in Surface Gallery, Nottingham. 

Homeland is departing from the research project Post-Socialist Britain?: Memory, Representation and Political Identity amongst German, Polish and Ukrainian Immigrants in the UK, a large-scale research project in collaboration with the University of Birmingham and the Nottingham Trent University exploring how and if memory is linked to political identity, and how this is manifested in a different national context. 

Homeland will address themes of political identity, belonging, memory and representation among migrant communities in West Bromwich and Hyson Green, with a specific focus, but not limited to, Polish migrant communities. Throughout the residency, Korobkiewicz familiarised herself with these areas and established relationships with the members of the migrant communities, initiating dialogues and participating in local celebrations and events, researching and creating a contemporary portrait of those communities. 

The exhibition will reflect on the visibility of the communities within the areas of focus (West Bromwich & Hyson Green), and serve as a platform to share experiences of migration from various perspectives. Korobkiewicz’s photographic series explores the visibility of the migrant community within public space and the importance of it.

Accompanying Korobkiewicz’s work, Homeland will also include photographic projects from Sylwia Ciszewska-Peciak, Yuxi Hou, Ismail Khokon, and Marcin Forys, participants of the Central European Photography Club, with whom she worked closely during her residency, through mentoring and sharing experiences.

Homeland is also highlighting the importance and the role of the artist as a social agent. The partnership and collaboration between Centrala and the University of Birmingham commissioning an artist to conduct community-based research, establish trust, and share experiences and stories of migration through visual storytelling.

Centrala

Fri 06 Oct - Sat 18 Nov 2023

Unit 4 Minerva Works, 158 Fazeley St, Birmingham B5 5RT

Opening Hours: Wed-Sat, 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Free Entry

Image courtesy of Angela Grabowska

Surface Gallery

Fri 1 Dec - Sat 16 Dec 2023

16 Southwell Rd, Nottingham NG1 1DL

Opening Hours: Tue - Friday 12:00-18:00, Sat 11:00-17:00

Free Entry

Drive-In Film Screening @ Cube Microplex /  by Paulina Korobkiewicz

Me and Jack Martyn Richardson are premiering our collaborative film Drive-In at the Young Echo All Dayer at the Cube Microplex.

Drive-In is a film from an ongoing project exploring the tradition and aesthetics of travelling fair grounds in London.

30.09.2023

Young Echo Alldayer, Cube Microplex

2PM - 1AM