Stefania 2020

Małgorzata Serwatka’s “Stefania” combines drawing, painting, and needlework to create a complex portrait. The artist's approach to materials is far from traditional, using techniques that might be considered at home in dressmaking as much as in fine art. Look closely and you'll see that much of the image's impact comes from the application of common materials. For instance, the lustrous quality of Stefania’s dress is the result of beaded and sequined elements stitched onto the canvas. The artist is clearly interested in the amount of labor involved in the production process. The handwork is evident and celebrated, adding a layer of value and meaning to the artwork. Serwatka invites us to reconsider the value we place on craft-based processes. By integrating them into a fine art context, she elevates the status of these skills. “Stefania” reminds us of the importance of materials, making, and context in understanding the full meaning of an artwork.