Martyna Pekala (2000, Poland) is a multimedia artist based in the Netherlands. Within her practice, she reuses and samples self-made symbols in attempt to form narratives. Through video, installation, performance, and costume making, she strives to explore her own identity, as well as question it in the process of self-image fabrication. In her multidisciplinary practice, the starting point is usually digital, but tends to take on a physical form, in attempt to highlight the blurred line between the physical and virtual realities. Pekala’s research is rooted in fantasy and identity, as well as how these two notions can be understood in the context of the online world. As a Gen-Z’er, she grew up in the era of the Internet, and therefore draws a lot of inspiration from its unique language and culture. In her practice, Pekala intends to question the line between physical and metaphysical (virtual), which with each new generation and technological advancement, becomes more and more blurry
martyna.m.pekala@gmail.com
Education
2018 – 2022 – University of the Arts Utrecht BA Fine arts
2014 – 2018 – Canadian International School of Beijing, IB Diploma
Exhibitions
Durga Puja Festival 2023
Not All That Glitters is Pixel – Exboot
De Belofte 18: Façade – Kunstliefde
Not All That Glitters is Pixel (solo) – 37PK
1000 Shape-Shifting Chocolate Chips – Laak Club
Not All That Glitters is Pixel (VJ) – Future Intel
Ticket to the future – Omstand
Metamorphosis (VJ) – Club Altelier
Uitfeest – Art Utrecht
Ecotone – De Nijverheid
Graduation Show – Melkweg
Songs by the Creek – Gallery Flyvsk
HKU Exposure – Pastoe Fabriek
Beats in the Woods – NAR Cafe der Kunsten
Internationale Vrouwendag – NAR Cafe der Kunsten
Metamorphosis – Sexyland
Hit the Curb – EKKO
Astroworld: Exit Tourism – KUN Art Museum
Kolkata (IN) | October 2023
Utrecht (NL) | July 2023
Utrecht (NL) | June 2023
Haarlem (NL) | April 2023
The Hague (NL) | April 2023
The Hague (NL) | January 2023
Arnhem (NL) | October 2022
Amsterdam (NL) | October 2022
Utrecht (NL) | September 2022
Utrecht (NL) | September 2022
Amsterdam (NL) | August 2022
Flensburg (DE) | August 2022
Utrecht (NL) | June 2022
Utrecht (NL) | April 2022
Utrecht (NL) | March 2022
Amsterdam (NL) | February 2022
Utrecht (NL) | July 2021
Beijing (CN) | June 2021
Residencies
Sep-Nov 2023 – Behala Nutan Dal, Kolkata (IN)
Jan-Apr 2023 – DOC4, Haarlem (NL)
Publications/Nominations/Other
Aug-Sep 2022 – Featured in Metropolis M, Eindexamen 2022
July 2022 – Travis Geertuida Research Prize/nominated
Jun-Aug 2021 – Internship for Anne-Jan Reijn
July 2021 – Video documentation – Common Ground, solo show by Ilona Plaum
January 2020 – Flag design for exhibition Psychedelic Oshawa