Val Ziółko x Jakub Ziółkowski – The Beauty of Transqueer

In the works presented at the exhibition, one can observe a dialogue between the contemporary young photographer, Val Ziółko, and the works of 18th-century artists such as François Boucher and Jean-Honoré Fragonard. The photos are an attempt to show the beauty of transqueer people based on the art of old masters of painting. The exhibition proves that beauty has more forms and facets than the often rigid framework of heteronormative standards.

Exhibition opening: 10/03/2023 (Friday), at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Azyl Library (former Galeria Labirynt | Plaza), ul. Lipowa 13, Lublin (entrance from ul. Ofiar Katynia)
Accessibility: The exhibition is held on the ground floor in a space free from architectural barriers.
On display: until 07/4/2023 (Tue–Sat 1:00–6:00 p.m.; Sun 12:00–7:00 p.m.)
Admission: free

“I chose transqueer people for the project who are not activists and are not public figures. They are ordinary people who study, work, and try to live privately and happily. The protagonists of the photographs include Maja and her companion Gabrielo, a married couple who underwent gender correction during their relationship,” says the artist.

During the opening, cellist Weronika Prus will perform. The musical works presented will take the form of a “classic surprise”.

Val Ziółko x Jakub Ziółkowski (born 2001) – graduate of the Cyprian Kamil Norwid Secondary School of Visual Arts in Lublin, specialising in interior design. He is currently studying media production at the Faculty of Political Science and Journalism of Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin. In his practice, he works mainly with photography. LGBTQ+ rights activist, focusing on the needs of transgender people. “Pioneer of the Young Generation” as part of Vogue’s Global Youth Project. He was distinguished in the 12th international photographic competition “Works of the Masters Inspire Contemporary Photography”.

The “Queerujemy Lublin” project is funded by The European Cultural Foundation within “The Europe Challenge 2022–2023” programme.