Paweł Mendrek

Paweł Mendrek serves as habilitated doctor university professor and Head of the Department of Intermedia and Scenography at the Academy of Fine Arts in Katowice. A prominent visual artist, he creates drawings, paintings with collage elements, and works as a photographer and filmmaker, specializing in deconstruction mechanisms where he systematically abstracts reality in his artistic practice.

Professor Mendrek earned his formal education at the Katowice branch of the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow and the University of Applied Arts in Vienna, completing his PhD in 2008 and habilitation (postdoctoral degree) in 2016. His academic journey reflects a deep integration of artistic practice and scholarly inquiry.

Mendrek's research focuses on the intersection of visual arts and contemporary art practices, particularly exploring deconstruction mechanisms across various media. His work systematically challenges conventional representations of reality through innovative combinations of drawing, painting, collage, photography, and filmmaking, creating a distinctive approach to contemporary artistic expression that bridges academic research and creative practice.

His artistic contributions have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards including nominations for the Strabag Award/Kunstforum in Vienna and distinctions at international biennales of digital graphics. His early career achievements include multiple national awards in Poland and scholarships from institutions in Germany, Austria, and the United States.

Professor Mendrek actively engages in international artistic collaborations as co-founder of the Travel Agency Art Collective with Małgorzata Szandała and Ewa Zasada. He has developed significant projects including Connect:London and Parallax in partnership with Chelsea College of Arts, University of the Arts London, and participates in the international research project Culture Pro. His current artistic practice is closely tied to the Loft 8 Gallery in Vienna, where he resides while maintaining his academic position in Katowice.

Mendrek has maintained an active exhibition schedule since 2002 with numerous individual and group exhibitions across Europe, including notable presentations in Budapest, Vienna, Warsaw, Kraków, and London, establishing himself as a significant figure in the contemporary art scene through his innovative interdisciplinary approach.