Eugeniusz, 63, from the series Carts Eugeniusz, 63, from the series Carts

Łukasz Surowiec's activities revolve around the topics of poverty and exclusion. The works from the series Carts – the effect of a project conducted in Bytom with a group of homeless people – are consistent with the artist's attitude of social engagement. The project consisted in a simple exchange: new, functional carts for transporting scrap metal for the old and shabby ones. By permission of every donee Surowiec created his/her photographic portrait. The artist's aim was not only to effectively improve the life circumstances of the subjects who had been pushed to the margins of society, but also to give them back their individuality and humanity.

Łukasz Surowiec (b. 1985) – author of socially engaged practices, sculptures, performances, films and videos. Graduate of the Faculty of Sculpture at the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow. He also studied at the University of the Arts Poznan and Universität der Künste in Berlin. His art is socially and politically engaged. By working among the people pushed to the margins the artist unveils the periphery of social reality and places it in the centre. He also addresses the question of historical grievances, which, though apparently buried in the past, affect our perception of the present reality. His works are, among others, in the collections of Bunkier Sztuki, MOCAK, Kronika Centre for Contemporary Art in Bytom, City Museum of Tychy and Dolnośląskie Towarzystwo Zachęty Sztuk Pięknych in Wrocław.

Portrait photo of the homeless