Andrzej Tobis

Andrzej Tobis is a Professor of Fine Arts at the Academy of Fine Arts in Katowice, where he has been teaching since 1996. He currently runs Painting Studio V, one of the diploma-granting studios at the institution. Born in Wieluń in 1970, Tobis graduated from the Faculty of Graphic Arts at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków (Katowice branch) in 1995. His work spans painting and photography, with a focus on conceptual art projects that explore language, education, and cultural identity.

Professor Tobis's primary artistic focus lies at the intersection of visual art, language, and education. His signature project "A-Z (Educational Cabinets)" represents a long-term conceptual exploration that began in 2006, where he creates visual dictionaries that document Polish and German language through photographs. Working primarily in painting and photography, Tobis investigates cultural identity, particularly in the Silesian region of Poland, often addressing themes of memory, education, and the relationship between language and visual representation.

Analysis of Tobis's recent publications reveals a strong focus on his A-Z project, which has gained international recognition, particularly after its presentation at PhotoEspaña 2016 in Madrid. His work bridges conceptual art with linguistic exploration, examining how visual representation can serve as educational tools. The publications show increasing international interest in his work, with coverage in Spanish, German, and American media, highlighting the cross-cultural relevance of his visual dictionary project that documents words through photographs across Poland.

Throughout his career, Andrzej Tobis has received several prestigious awards and scholarships:

• Scholarship of the Marshal of the Silesian Voivodeship (2007)
• National Painting Competition Bielska Jesień - Gold Medal (1999)
• UNDP Painting Competition - 2nd Prize (1997)
• Scholarship of the Minister of Culture and Art
• Kulisiewicz Foundation Scholarship (1996)

As a professor at the Academy of Fine Arts in Katowice, Tobis has mentored numerous students through Painting Studio V, guiding them in developing their artistic voices. His conceptual project "A-Z (Educational Cabinets)" has received significant institutional support, allowing for international exhibitions across Europe. The project has been featured in major institutions including Museo Lazáro Galdiano in Madrid, Galerie Města Třince in the Czech Republic, and multiple venues in Germany. His work has been collected by prestigious institutions such as Zachęta - National Gallery of Art in Warsaw and the Silesian Museum in Katowice.

While not affiliated with traditional research labs, Tobis collaborates with various cultural institutions and has been part of collective projects such as "TRANSGENERATIONFORMATION" presented in multiple German venues. His work often involves collaboration with other artists, as seen in his 2007 exhibition "Ludzie, zwierzęta, architektura" with Jakub Adamek. He has also participated in collective exhibitions with other Silesian artists, contributing to the regional art scene's development.