Krzysztof Pastuszka is an interdisciplinary artist who spans sculpture, drawing, engineering, and computer design. Much of his work focuses on the complexity and tension in transition/transitioning, giving voice to his experience growing up as a trans kid in the late 90s -2000s. His process consists of idea generation and the testing and creation of prototypes to generate a multitude of parts. He focuses on mechanical movement and the interplay between parts to visualize the intricacies of change and focus on the necessity of each component's ability to cooperate with another and create movement. He uses motion as a way to expose all the micro-operations and mental acrobatics involved in navigating and rejecting the unchanging nature of cisnormativity. He combines his array of skills to envision and compose an elaborate trail of blueprints archiving the hidden and unseen essence of his trans experience--building documentation that didn't exist in his childhood.
EXHIBITIONS AND SHOWS
Exhibitions
2023 Breaking More Boundaries, Culture Lab LIC @ Plaxall Gallery, Queens, NY
Juried by by Mariette Pathy Allen, Orestes Gonzalez & Jesse Egner (Catalogue)
Trans Pride Panel, Panelist, Translatinx Network, New York, NY
2022 JUNE PRIDE ARTS! Presented by Lance Bass, Shepard Fairey, Ron English, Gary Baseman, and Molly Crabapple.
Lost & Found, Art Gallery 118, Online Exhibit
Facing Abstraction, Elisa Contemporary Art Gallery, Riverdale, NY
2016 Pulp Fiction, Elisa Contemporary Art Gallery, NY
2014 Rock, Paper, Scissors, Shoot!, New York Design Center, NY
2012 The Affordable Art Fair, Elisa Contemporary Art, NY
2011 The Human Spirit, Elisa Contemporary Art Gallery, NY
The Affordable Art Fair, Elisa Contemporary Art, NY
2010 Emerged, Elisa Contemporary Art Gallery, NY
The Affordable Art Fair, Elisa Contemporary Art, NY
2009 I Heart Art , Wassaic/WORK Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2008 Open Studios: Sculpture, SVA, 30 W. 17th Street, New York, NY
Individuality/Diversity Curated by Jeanne Siegel, Visual Arts Gallery, 601 W. 26th
2007 Open Studios: Sculpture, SVA, 30 W. 17th Street, New York, NY
2005 Foundation Drawing Show, SVA, 121 W. 21st Street Gallery, New York, NY
Commissions
2023 OCT Red Ink, Illustration (Guache & Ink on paper), Off-Broadway debut of Red Ink: a one
woman show by Cecilia Gentili, Rattlestick Theater, New York, NY
MAY Young Cecilia as Virgin Mary, Illustration (Guache & Ink on paper) & Props for
Photography, Red Ink: a one woman show by Cecilia Gentili, the Wild Project, NY
Publications/Awards
2022 APR. Artists of the Month, Art Jobs, Feature.
2022 APR. Artists to Watch ‘22, Art Connect, Interview and Feature
2011 Samuels, Tanyanika: “Putting A Frame On It”, The New York Daily News, September 11, 2011 2008 Bennett, Ciaran(curated), 20/20, School of Visual Arts, BFA Fine Arts Department, 2008
Education
2020 New York City College of Technology- Brooklyn, New York Bachelor of Mechanical
Engineering and Technology. Summa Cum Laude
2008 School of Visual Arts-Manhattan, New York Bachelor of Fine Art
ABOUT KRYZSTOF PASTUSZKA
Krzysztof Pastuszka is an interdisciplinary artist who spans sculpture, drawing, engineering, and computer design. Much of his work focuses on the complexity and tension in transition/transitioning, giving voice to his experience growing up as a trans kid in the late 90s -2000s. His process consists of idea generation and the testing and creation of prototypes to generate a multitude of parts. He focuses on mechanical movement and the interplay between parts to visualize the intricacies of change and focus on the necessity of each component's ability to cooperate with another and create movement. He uses motion as a way to expose all the micro-operations and mental acrobatics involved in navigating and rejecting the unchanging nature of cisnormativity. He combines his array of skills to envision and compose an elaborate trail of blueprints archiving the hidden and unseen essence of his trans experience--building documentation that didn't exist in his childhood.
His current body of work consists of multiple assemblies within one mechanical sculpture. In his words, "Once we begin to pull apart the systems, pull apart the assemblies and view each piece independently, every part is digestible, every piece makes more sense, and we can see that every piece counts. It's the same with being trans when you start to understand us and decide to understand us as individuals. When you choose to have a relationship with a trans person, you can start pulling apart the inaccurate views that create unnecessary and oppressive obstacles for trans folks and merge into a more inclusive society—allowing trans folks to coexist equally". His work is an archive of his methods of survival, by which he establishes proof of the value within his trans perspective. He hopes this proof encourages trans youth to see the value within themselves.
Krzysztof received a BFA from the School of Visual Arts; he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering from NYC College of Technology. His work has been exhibited at Elisa Contemporary Art Gallery, the New York Design Center, the Affordable Art Fair, and Visual Arts Gallery in NYC.
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