Shortly before the outbreak of the pandemic, Poles across the country had begun to embrace winter swimming as their favorite pursuit. In fact, I would go even further. Previously a niche activity, winter swimming became the ‘it’ thing to do among the Polish middle class. This was evident, for example, on social media, where once it was flooded with selfies of people standing in cold water. The pandemic brought about the belief that winter swimming might contribute to fighting the virus, especially at a time when fitness clubs, sports fields, and other venues were closed. As a result, the banks of various water bodies were teeming with people both during the day and at night. A number of winter swimming clubs were set up or expanded their activity, and the entire ‘winter swimming industry’ sprang up, along with national ‘cold water gurus’ and ‘winter swimming-friendly’ hotels. Now this “run for winter swimming” stopped, and not only because of the summer. 

I’ve been practicing winter swimming for several years now, usually in Lake Czerniakowskie in Warsaw’s Sadyba district. The place is quite extraordinary, not least because of the massive chimneys forming the skyline.

Through this photograph I show unique feature of this place. What I mean is the swan which had been accompanying winter swimmers for years, regardless of the time of day or night. The swan was like a guard resolutely watching over its outpost. Majestic and beautiful, and always ready for action – the Lord of the Toxic Lake. The bad news is, the Lord has gone this year (…)

Surrealism is my love since I was a child, and I admire it in my works. Using the camera, both digital and analog, and imagination only, I travel into the world of my internal feelings, dreams, and enjoy and express freedom, which is one of the most important values for me. Freedom of creation – this is the connection between my works that you are asking for!

My credo is: Photography connects the real world with the universe of emotions. It reconciles the mind with the soul. It allows me to walk the path of continuous development. Per aspera ad Astra (…) I follow it in my art. And my life.

In the case of the Toxic Lake, there was no other choice but black and white, as this style lends power to the situation. Please note that this photograph was not posed. This is a series of photographs, some of which present the Lord of the Toxic Lake strongly. 

On several projects pararelly but the most important are:

Desolate Beauty is a project that combines the seemingly opposing concepts of beauty and desolation (and sometimes even destruction and decay). Beauty is embodied by captivating women (occasionally men), while desolation is reflected in the physical state of the locations where I invite and immortalize the protagonists of my stories. The women are adorned in beautiful garments or are nude – but they are always beautiful.

This unusual collage significantly impacts the my sense of aesthetics and emotional state. The sum of beauty and decay always results in… beauty (just as good always triumphs over evil). Loneliness is another common element in the various photographs – regardless of how many people are present in each shot. This continuously growing project has achieved national and international acclaim.

Connected to Nature is a project that manifests awareness of the deep and multi-faceted relationship between man and the world of nature and the recognition of its beauty, diversity and complexity. It also expresses the message to see this world as a whole and emphasizes its harmony and, as well, its complexity.Above all, however, it reminds us of the inextricable connection between all living beings, including – as a few of many – humans, plants and inanimate matter. It highlights the fact (often overlooked) that we are part of a larger ecosystem. A very important part, nevertheless not the most important (…)

The chosen form of expression, associated with the fascination with the beauty of the human body and admiration for the splendor of the forms of nature, makes this message attractive and therefore more approachable (not to say decorative). However, the message remains valid. As well as the awareness that denying it must lead, sooner or later, to a catastrophe, tragedy and even destruction – partial or total (…) And that is why the apocalyptic elements that sometimes appear here, such as wrecks (of planes, ships or other vehicles) or other devastating manifestations of human activity.

You do not have enough space for my long list of them. 

I realize my dream projects as they come from my dreams (…)