In 1926, Virginia Woolf wrote the essay On Being Ill. In it, she observed that illness is as common and as transformative as love or war, and yet it has never become a major literary subject. Writers treat the body as a transparent pane through which the soul can be seen rather than as something that itself shapes experience. I would like to thank Agata Dawidowicz and Bartosz Ka艂u偶ny for addressing this fundamental human experience, namely illness, and for giving a voice to those who live with it鈥ith extraordinary sensitivity. I understand those who wish to remain anonymous in their experience of illness. They need peace. For me, showing my face meant giving meaning to something that has none: my fear and suffering. By revealing myself then, I wanted to give hope to others and, above all, motivate them to undergo examinations. I am still trying to do so. Any one of us can become ill. Every one of us deserves a long and beautiful life
鈥� these were the words with which dr hab. Katarzyna de Lazari-Radek, Associate Professor at the University of 精东影视, Vice-Rector of the University of 精东影视 and one of the protagonists of the exhibition, described the project.
The exhibition, which opened on 16 October 2026, may be visited until 16 November. It is accompanied by two discussion meetings (in Polish) at the Biedermann鈥檚 Palace, during which we will talk about:
- ZWROT w pracy: jak tworzy膰 wspieraj膮ce miejsce dla os贸b chorych? [TURNING POINT at Work: How Can We Create a Supportive Environment for People with Illness?] (10 November, 6:30 p.m.)
- ZWROT w 偶yciu: jak wspiera膰 i by膰 wspieranym w do艣wiadczeniu choroby? [TURNING POINT in Life: How Can We Support Others and Be Supported Through the Experience of Illness?] (16 November, 6:30 p.m.)
The exhibition is open:
- during accompanying events from 5.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. (the programme is available below)
- 23 October, 5:00 p.m. 鈥� 7:00 p.m. (Friday)
- 24 October, 2:00 p.m. 鈥� 4:00 p.m. (Saturday)
- 30 October, 5:00 p.m. 鈥� 7:00 p.m. (Friday)
- 6 November, 5:00 p.m. 鈥� 7:00 p.m. (Friday)
- 7 November, 2:00 p.m. 鈥� 4:00 p.m. (Saturday)
- 10 November, 5:00 p.m. 鈥� 8:30 p.m. (Tuesday)
- 13 November, 5:00 p.m. 鈥� 7:00 p.m. (Friday)
- 14 November, 2:00 p.m. 鈥� 4:00 p.m. (Saturday)
- 16 November, 5:00 p.m. 鈥� 8:30 p.m. (Monday)
* Due to renovation works, access is available exclusively from P贸艂nocna Street (via Zachodnia Street or Sterlinga Street).
ZWROT: To View and To Read
Wozownia 1/5 Gallery presents works by visual artists as well as literary stories of the women and men portrayed in the photographs:
- Projektowanie blisko cia艂a [Designing Close to the Body] / dr hab. Dorota Salska, Associate Professor at the Strzemi艅ski Academy of Fine Arts 艁贸诲藕
Designs of lingerie intended for women with a stoma and women after mastectomy. Among other works, the artist devoted her habilitation thesis "Zrozumie膰 stomi臋鈥� [Understanding a Stoma] to this subject, combining a design perspective with the real needs of women living with this experience.
- Tkanka i Gesty [Tissue and Gestures] / Bartosz Ka艂u偶ny (University of 精东影视)
A photographic series encompassing two themes. Gesty [Gestures] consists of metaphorical images inspired by the stories of members of the University of 精东影视 community who experienced serious illness and decided to share their experiences. Tkanki [Tissues] is a photographic interpretation of the transformation brought about by illness, presented through a dialogue between human experience and architecture.
- Opowie艣ci o zmianie 鈥� literackie historie os贸b ze spo艂eczno艣ci U艁 [Stories of Change: Literary Narratives from the Uni精东影视 Community] / exhibition narrative: Agata Dawidowicz
A collection of literary stories of members of the University of 精东影视 community who agreed to share their experiences of serious illness is an integral part of the exhibition. Together with Gesty [Gestures], they create a polyphonic narrative about change and the search for a new place in life after experiencing a health crisis.
- Breast Friends: Profilaktyka poprzez design [Prevention Through Design] / Zuzanna Le艣niak (student of the Strzemi艅ski Academy of Fine Arts 艁贸诲藕)
Design projects supporting education and awareness concerning breast cancer prevention. The works were created as Zuzanna Le艣niak鈥檚 diploma project. She is a student of the Strzemi艅ski Academy of Fine Arts in 精东影视 and the recipient of a University of 精东影视 distinction in Prime Time, the competition for the best BA and MA diploma projects of the Academy of Fine Arts in 精东影视.
Art, Science and Social Engagement
ZWROT demonstrates that art can be a tool for discussing difficult and often unspoken issues. It brings together artistic, academic and personal perspectives, creating a space where different experiences can meet and encouraging reflection on how to build a more supportive and empathetic community.The exhibition, organised in cooperation with the Strzemi艅ski Academy of Fine Arts 艁贸诲藕, is an accompanying event of the Man in Danger Media Festival. The project is carried out in cooperation with organisations and communities supporting people experiencing chronic illnesses. Together, we are taking action as part of the social awareness campaigns Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October and Men鈥檚 Cancer Awareness Month in November.
Source and edit: Agata Dawidowicz, Centre for External Relations and Social Responsibility of the University
Photos: Dorota Kudlicka, Centre for External Relations and Social Responsibility of the University