ALICJA KAMAJ BodyCollage In these series of collages Alicja Kamaj explores how society and culture force the female body to hide its natural features. By cutting and combining photographs and pictures of other artists, Kamaj reveals frequently concealed elements, such as body hair, menstrual blood or nipples. In “BodyCollage,”Kamaj focuses on the physicality and physiology of the body, which brings to light deeply entrenched stereotypes. In her work, Kamaj encourages the viewer to confront their own subconscious and conscious prejudices and become aware of the stigma and shame attached to the natural form of the female body. In this manner, Kamaj pays homage to Alina Szapocznikow’s art practice and the artist`s great artworks are included in her collages. In “BodyCollage” Kamaj combines antique sculpture aesthetic with colours traditionally associated with the feminine, and photos of human hair and bodily fluids creating a new visual language. Kamaj states that “the aim of this series is to reclaim the female body from the arms of the patriarchy.”
Alicja Kamaj is a Polish artist from the Subcarpathian region, in SouthEast Poland. Kamaj specialised in fashion design during her time at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw. Besides using fashion, she experiments with illustration where she focuses on the female body and feminist issues. Kamaj also incorporates illustration, video and photographic elements in her art practice. @alicjakamaj
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