Kasia Oleśkiewicz - Visual Arts, Research, and Contemporary Artistry

Kasia Oleśkiewicz is a Polish visual artist, researcher, and art historian whose work bridges the gap between theoretical research and visual practice. Born in 1998, Oleśkiewicz utilizes an artistic research methodology to explore the concept of the 'animal', reclaiming and redefining animality through an intersectional lens. Her portfolio includes diverse projects such as 'The Farm Project' (2020-2022) and 'Animal Gaze', which address themes of nonhuman suffering, speciesism, and collective memory. Kasia Oleśkiewicz employs a variety of mediums including drawing, sculpture, and painting to investigate the vulnerability of sentient bodies and the ethical implications of human and nonhuman interactions. Based internationally between Bern, Switzerland, Edinburgh, Scotland, and the Polish west coast, her practice is deeply influenced by the theories of Judith Butler and Jacques Derrida. Her work has been recognized with grants from the Culture & Animals Foundation and organizations in Switzerland, leading to exhibitions that challenge traditional species hierarchies. Through her artivism and academic research, Kasia Oleśkiewicz seeks to inspire compassion and critical reflection on public space and the representation of all sentient beings.