Golem

The painting depicts a modern interpretation of the legendary Golem of Prague - a giant created by rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel in the 16th century to protect Jews from a pogrom. Nowadays however, this creature acquires new, much darker meaning. Combining a stereotypical image of Polish hooligan with attributes such as high white socks and long dark coat associated with orthodox judaism, creates an ironic mixture of features of these two nations that coexisted on eastern european soil throughout centuries. Polish-jewish relationship to this day remains complex and difficult, but it is impossible to ignore the paradoxical impression that both sides of this conflict share their prejudices (not only towards one another) based on the exact same premises and citing similar values. Not being able to reconsider this approach – staying blatantly oblivious – fuels the neverending cycle of violence that we are witnessing particularly strongly right now.