KAROLINA SKOREK Illustrator and Fine Art Photographer 17 CAE LLYS CLOSE, CONNAHS QUAY, CH5 4PZ, UK m: 07826 035 400 e: karolaskorek@gmail.com www.karolinaskorek.com
PERSONAL STATEMENT: I am a knowledgeable, confident and creative artist, with over 7 year’s of fine art and photography experience. I am a team player and gain great satisfaction from motivating and inspiring others to achieve and grow their talents and strengths. I am a loyal, enthusiastic and passionate individual. I am fascinated by fine art photography and video art with great interest in art and design history as well as current trends.
QUALIFICATIONS: Masters Degree (M.A) North Wales School of Art and Design, Wrexham 2010 – 2011 Master Degree in Design Practice- Illustration Desideration and research subject: “Etnodesign” analysis of a design trend. M.A artwork: “Slavic Tales” illustrations for Slavic myths. Techniques used: Photography, illustration and sculptures. Masters Degree (M.A) Academy Of Fine Arts, Wroclaw, Poland 2004 – 2009 Desideration and research subject: “Street Art Phenomenon, analysis of the art movement on selected works”. M.A artwork: Glass Industrial Design: “Eggy” Breakfast set of 7 pieces including plates, small cereal or fruits bowl, glasses, butter container, juice bottle, salt and pepper containers. Artistic Glass: “Artistic Glass in a Public Space” sculpture made from black steel and fused glass rods and LED lights. Diploma Appendix: “Painting effects in Photography” painting and photography works series. Academy Scholarship for artistic developments in the 2007, 2008 and 2009 Subjects studied: Glass Design, Computer Graphic, Painting and Drawing, Photography, Sculpture, Stained Glass, Graphic Design, Product Design, Typography, Visual Communication, Ergonomic Design.
OTHER QUALIFICATIONS: Mastering the Wet Plate Collodion, Warsaw, Poland Fine Art Wedding Photography, Sal Cinnotta, Prague, Czech Republic Emotional Intelligence, GRMG, Warsaw, Poland XIX Century Photographic Techniques, Wet Collodion Plate, Krakow, Poland Coaching and Mentoring, GRMG, Warsaw, Poland Public Speaking, GRMG, Warsaw, Poland Gum Dichromate Print, XIX century technique, Krakow, Poland How to photograph Women, advanced portrait and retouch techniques, Krakow, Poland Sal Cinnotta Wedding Bootcamp, wedding and business workshops. Fashion Lighting and Posing, KNUK, Florence, Italy Still Life Photography, Florence, Italy
2014 2014 2013 2013 2012 2012 2012 2012 2011 2011 2011
CURRENT EMPLOYMENT AND TEACHING EXPERIENCE: Photographer and Owner at Creative Factory, North Wales, UK 2010 - Recent As a part of the business I am running workshops on different Fine Art Photography subjects. The key one are XIX Century Photography, Gum Bichromate and Wet Plate Collodion photography workshop where present how to create a gum bichromate and how to use it in the student artistic development, and Fine Art Women Portraits intense workshops that challenge my students, and inspire them with new photographic, styling, crafting, and printing techniques. I show them how to thing make a connection and pose the model, so that my students become confident in their art, and composition. The past workshops participants are successful on a fine art market. My day-today duties include finding, meeting and working closely with clients on creative briefs and brainstorming the ideas for campaigns. Following the brief I create the approach, and suggest the best solutions. I always merge Fine Art Approach and style of photography and video into all commercial projects. At the photo-shoot I work closely with the creative team to ensure that the highest effects are being achieved.
PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE: Designer and Photographer at North Wales Crusaders, Wrexham, UK 01.2012 - 03.2014 Working close with the marketing director on advertising campaigns for North Wales Crusaders rugby team and Wales Rugby League. Creating all photography materials and designs for big season campaigns. While working for NWC I was also responsible for big promotional poster for international rugby games, including the Wales v England game. Junior Photographer and retoucher at Knuk, Florence, Italy 09.2011 - 01.2012 While on work placement in Knuk, I had to work under pressure and solve many problems to create the best solutions for international clients. I also was able to learn many techniques and tricks how to shoot and retouch for fashion magazines and how to create amazing still life photographs that will show the beauty of photographed subject. While working in studio I was building photography sets for more fine art and editorial projects. Glass Designer at BTBB- Glassworks. Grzybów, Poland Summer 2007, 2008 and 2009 My 2 months internship in glassworks as a product designer. Main duties: Designing glass sets, and preparing all designs for production
OTHER EXPIRIENCE: Voluntary Life Drawing Teacher, Glyndwr University 01.2010 - 05.2011 I was running life-drawing classes as a voluntary lecturer assistant. I was responsible for helping students to understand the basics of life drawing, perspective, proportions and drawing techniques. I was inspiring the more advanced ones to explore new ways of approaching to life drawing, and merging their unique style with drawing models. Voluntary art teacher at summer art classes for young people 07.2008 - 09.2008 Managing and providing content for summer art classes organized for young people. Art classes included basic life drawing, painting and crafts. Student Government Member and Scholarship Committee Member, Academy of Fine Arts, Wroclaw, Poland 11.2006 - 05.2009 My main duties were organising and curating artists’ exhibitions and various art events. That involved a lot of teamwork, planning, problem solving and negotiating with galleries and sponsors. I was also responsible for helping international students in Academy to communicate with their lecturers. Also a delegate from my Academy at “FSUA- Forum of Artistic Universities Students” where I had to make a public speeches and discussions in the National Student Parliament.
LANGUAGES AND SKILLS: Languages spoken: English (C2) Italian (B2 )
Polish (native) Spanish (A2)
Fine Art Relevant Experience and Skills: Photography Skills: XIX Century Photographic Techniques (including Wet Plate Collodion, Bichromate Gumprint, Pinhole Photography), Studio Lighting, Posing, Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, Photographic Retouching and Manipulation, Video Editing, Set Building, Decoration and Prop Making, Darkroom Techniques Fine Art and Studio Practice: Life Drawing, Oil and Acrylic Painting, Stain Glass Making, Sculpture, Composition Teaching, Illustration, Graphic Design, History of Art and Design, Warm Glass Techniques (fusing, slumping, bead making) Teaching and IT Skills: Coaching and Mentoring, Problem Solving, IT Skills (Apple OS and Windows), Exhibition Curating,
PUBLICATIONS AND EXHIBITIONS: Individual Exhibitions “Gum Bichromate”, Photography and Art Exhibition, The Art Gallery, Bootle, Liverpool
05.2013
“Slavic Tales”, Photography Exhibition, Muza, Sosnowiec, Poland
06.2012
“Slavic Tales”, Photography Exhibition, Manufaktura, Wrocław, Poland
01.2012
“Slavic Tales”, Photography Exhibition, Platon, Florence, Italy
08.2011
“Modern Woman”, Solo photography Exhibition, Cargo, Florence, Italy
01.2011
“Perfect Woman” photography and painting exhibition, Art Café, Sosnowiec, Poland
09.2009
Group Exhibitions “Kobiecosci/Sensual”, fine art photography, Muzeum Sleżańskie, Sobótka, Poland
10.2014
“UndegUn”, Helfa Gelf, illustration and photography, Wrexham, UK
09.2014
“Gloop for Helfa Gelf, illustration and photography, Squash Court, Chirk Castle, UK
09.2014
“HET KLEDEN VAN DE NAAKTEN”, glass and photography, Forma Aktua | Pinakotheek, Groningen, Netherlands
08.2014
“Eastern Wall”, Photography and Art Exhibition, Handel's Court Gallery, Chester, UK
02.2013
“Professional Photographer of the Year 2012”, Photography Award and Exhibition, Cheltenham, UK
05.2013
“Curiouser & Curiouser”, Photography and Art Exhibition, The New Welsh Assembly Building, Shrewsbury, UK
09.2012
“Stained Glass: Marta Sienkiewicz and Students”, Stained Glass Exhibition, Muzeum Piastów Polskich, Brzeg, Poland
06.2010
“Glass Design Exhibition”, “Enter” Gallery, Bratislava, Slovakia
05.2010
“M.A Show”, Glass Design, Painting and Fine Art Photography, BWA, Wroclaw, Poland
10.2009
“Wielka Szajba 2.” Glass Exhibition, Design Museum, Wrocław, Poland
11.2008
“Sale”, Painting Exhibition, Glyndwr, Wrexham, UK
02.2008
“Wielka Szajba”, Glass Exhibition, Modern Art Museum, Bełchatów, Poland
01.2008
“Wielka Szajba”, Glass Exhibition, Modern Art Museum, Bełchatów, Poland
12.2007
“Plener Malarski” painting exhibition, ASP, Wrocław, Poland
09.2006
Awards “Professional Photographer of the Year 2012”, 2
nd
in Black and White Category
2013
Scholarship for Artistic Developments, Academy of Fine Arts, Wroclaw, Poland
2009
Scholarship for Artistic Developments, Academy of Fine Arts, Wroclaw, Poland
2008
Scholarship for Artistic Developments, Academy of Fine Arts, Wroclaw, Poland
2007
“Wszędzie Niebiesko, Wszędzie Zielono” International Artists Contest, Warsaw, Poland
2004
Publications “WP Kobieta”, Photography publication, WP.pl, Warszawa 2014
09.2014
“Magazyn Wesele”, Photography publication, Wydawnictwo AIDCAS, Kraków 2014
05.2014
“Shutter Magazine”, Photography publication, Behind the Shutter, St. Louis 2014 www.behindtheshutter.com/magazines/2014_march/
03.2014
“Dziennik Polski”, an Interview for a polish newspaper, Dziennik Polski, London 2013
04.2013
“The Chronicle” an interview for a local newspaper, The Flintshire Chronicle, Mold 2013
04.2013
“Pro Photo Mag” Photography publication, Archant House, Gloucestershire 2013 “Photo Vouge” various images accepted and featured on an Italian Vouge website http://www.vogue.it/en/photovogue/profilo/8f7b50e7-221d-4d19-925f-c3a4828d8749/user “Pro Photo Mag” image featured on a main website, http://www.professionalphotographer.co.uk/ “Etnodesign”, Glyndwr, Wrexham 2010 “Industrial Design Served-Behance” “eggy-glass set featured https://www.behance.net/gallery/286402/Breakfast-glass-set “Street Art Phenomenon, analysis of the art movement on selected works”, ASP, Wroclaw 2010
04.2013 09.2012
02.2012
09.2010 10.2009
10.2009
Projects and Realisations “Corset Story” Fine Art Fashion Photoshoot for the international corset retailer, Chester, UK
08.2014
“Enchanted Forest”, Fine Art Photoshoot for a Jewellery Designer, Wroclaw, Poland
07.2014
“Memory Lane” Wet Plate Collodion Photoshoot, Krakow, Poland
06.2014
“No Light” Fine Art Nude Project, Wrexham, UK
12.2013
“Paganica” Fine Art Photography Project with Dr. Sketchy, Wales, UK
09.2013
“Slavic Wedding” An art project in entography museum, Pszczyna, Poland
07.2013
“Camera Gialla” Collaboration with an Italian artist Giulio Grisendi, Florence, Italy
11.2011
“Maxsa Parrucchieri” Collaboration with Knuk, Florence, Italy
10.2011
REFEREES: Steve Keegan - Principal Lecturer in Postgraduate Studies. Glyndwr University, 49 Regent St, Wrexham LL11 1PF Email: s.keegan@glyndwr.ac.uk Phone: 01978 293 522
Jamie Thomas – CEO North Wales Crusaders, Bryn Estyn Business Centre, Bryn Estyn Road, Wrexham, LL13 9TY. Email: jamiethomas@crusadersrfl.com Phone: 07875 514520 Yadzia Williams - Senior Lecturer in Design Communication Glyndwr University, 49 Regent St, Wrexham LL11 1PF Email: y.williams@glyndwr.ac.uk Phone: 01978 293510
Profile After six years of continuous education in the arts, particularly immersing into Glass Design and Photography, in 2009 I founded my own photography company “Creative Factory�. It has since enjoyed a lot success and through these years of practical application of my higher education, I have developed a level of expertise that has now called upon my life long dream of becoming a lecturer in illustration and contributing to the tumultuous but intensely beautiful world of art in higher education. Teaching & Learning I delivered life-drawing courses to a cohort of 20-25 students of all artistic disciplines (levels 4, 5, 6 and 7) during 2010/11at Glyndwr University. This included developing learning resources and teaching materials, providing student support such as offering feedback during times of assessment. Following the success of the course, I went on to deliver workshops to adult learners in a range of disciplines in Sosnowiec, Poland (2013). Disciplines included XIX Century Photography Techniques and Fine Art Women Portraits. This intense workshop challenged as well as inspired learners through discovering and perfecting their own personal photographic, styling, crafting and printing techniques. Recognising an individual’s impulse towards a certain niche; I then strived to tailor my own teaching techniques to adapt to all individual tendencies to bring their talents and interests to flourish into well-executed and professional pieces of work. Such workshops have allowed me to deliver Fine Art Studio Teaching in the areas of Fine Art (including Video Art and Installation) to both members of academia as well as the general public. The deliverance of workshops always culminated in final assessment through which I ensured that my students have met, if not exceeded, the set learning outcomes. My deep-set passion for the nature and evolvement of art, of course, goes beyond meeting paper-set learning outcomes and I make sure I follow up with my students' progression by suggesting exhibitions to take part in or guiding them in their further research, which has, of course, enhanced their overall student experience as well as inspired my own artistic ventures. Research I am in the process of applying for a PhD programme to pursue research in Wet Plate Collodion Photography. Introduced in the 1850s it was largely replaced by more modern techniques in the 1880s (using gelatine dry plates) that removed the often-painstaking process of the wet plate collodion process. Since then, the technique is re-emerging in fine art for its fascinating and often magical production of images. Its capability for recording microscopically fine detail is still utilised in a variety of disciplines, including medicine. Saying this, I will research how we can improve this XIX century technique with modern technology to produce high quality and exceptional precision images onto more varied glass structures. Wet Plate Collodion Photography is a beast of the past, which produces high precision images that are almost futuristic. This merging of techniques of the past and tastes of the present is what produces a concept-heavy, yet contemporarily elegant works of art. My research can benefit the University by introducing the latest expeditions made by contemporary art entering the almost forgotten crevices of XIX century wet plate collodion photography. There are very few academies in United Kingdom that have seriously experimented with this technique; the participation and ardor shown by Central Saint Martins predicts a bright future for collodion photography. This technique is gaining its popularity and although limited to a rather elite circle of photographic research, Glyndwr University can become on of the pioneering institutions to improve this, until now thought of as expired, photographic technique. This research has not made a sudden appearance in my artistic endeavours, but is the product of many years practicing fine art photography and glass design; an approach that has eventually found solace in the hybrid of the two - wet plate collodion photography.
Up to the present moment, my fine art photography and glass design work and research is to be found in multiple popular press and art publications, that saw their beginning during my Masters Degree in glass design and fine art in Poland (Academy of Fine Arts in Wroclaw), where I initially started exhibiting and publishing my work. The MA consisted of three subtopics: industrial design, artistic glass and fine art (see examples below): 1. Industrial glass For industrial design glass I produced a breakfast set inspired by eggs, hence entitled “Eggy�. It is a set of seven different pieces including plates, small cereal/fruit bowl, glasses, butter tray, juice bottle and salt and pepper shakers.
2. Artistic glass The Artistic Glass is a piece of fused glass rods, black steel and LED lighting installations through which I researched ways in which glass structures can function in public spaces. The sculpture itself was funded by an external sponsor, that I had secured during my studies.
3. Fine art I created a diploma appendix (which in Poland is an additional piece of research produced in an area other than the studies in your chosen expertise), where I examined painting effects in photography and, vice versa, photographic effects in painting, which was a part of a series for oil paintings and photography works. During this MA I was awarded the Scholarship for Artistic Development three years in a row (2007, 2008, 2009).
The MA written dissertation (available upon request, should you wish to see it) was a work of comprehensive research about the phenomenon of Street Art and the analysis of the art movement through selected works. 4. MA (Illustration) I graduated with my second MA from Glyndwr University in 2011. The artistic works created, entitled ‘Slavic Tales’, were illustrations inspired by Slavic mythology. I created mixed media illustrations for a variety of Slavic tales, myths and legends. Main techniques used include photography, illustration and sculpture.
The written dissertation was based in research of the Etno-design trend in modern design. From this, the Slavic trend has followed me into my artistic career, where I continue to produce works based in this mythological fashion.
Awards and Exhibitions In March 2013 I was nominated to the “Professional Photographer of the Year 2012” Award and on of my photographs won on a second position in the Black and White category. The most recent exhibition was a joint exhibition of my fine art photographs and the work of a glass jewellery designer (Katarzyna Gemborys) in Forma Aktua | Pinakotheek, Groningen, Netherlands. An oncoming exhibition will be held in Museum Slezanskie in Sobotka, Poland in October 2014. I am also one of the founding members of Gloop - a dynamic collective of artists & illustrators working together to create and showcase work.
For a complete list of awards, exhibitions and publications please refer to my CV. Academic Enterprise
Having worked in a Student Union (Poland) gave me the understanding of the importance of creating both internal and external partnerships when curating exhibitions where students are highly involved. My main duties included curating student-focussed exhibitions and organising social events; in order to do this I needed to participate in formal networks to build new relationships that would benefit both students and the faculty as a whole. I was also responsible for helping international students in the Academy to communicate with their lecturers and professors. A successful integration within the overall community (both academic and social) is vital in providing an enjoyable, beneficial and exciting student experience for international students. Whilst in this role, I was also helping members of staff organise Open Days and Visit Days, which is where the greatest numbers of new recruits are taken up. As a Scholarship Committee Member (Poland), I was developing internal and external partnerships in order to bring more funding into the Academy. I was also a delegate from my Academy at “FSUA- Forum of Artistic Universities Students�, which involved me making public speeches and discussions to students, business partners and other member of the community. Since 2010 I am an active photographer working internationally. I have continuously broaden my skill set so I can accommodate high end high-end clientele that is particularly drawn to my brand for the artistic feel of the finished works yet still holding a very clean and commercial look. This is the case with one of my latest clients, a leading corset retailer in Europe (Corset Story). Our cooperation produced a series of images that were artistic, subtle and feminine as well as clean and elegant. I always stay true to my style and by doing so all of my customers know what to expect from the finished artwork. The years of running my own company taught me how important it is to be able to implement the creativity into a business and how to adapt fast to all the changes and challenges. Working in an active photography studio in Florence, prepared me to cooperate with a creative team of professionals where I needed to perform on the highest level to ensure that all deadlines are being met. This experience also shown me how significant it is to give and take constructive feedback in order to flourish productive working relationships within and across teams. From 2012 I continue to train myself as a better mentor, I have participated a coaching and mentoring training that gave me new skills to help and comfort students. The public speaking and voice emission workshop enhanced my skills in speaking freely in front of a group, no matter how large. I am a great believer that education nowadays requires emotional intelligence and a positive attitude in order to teach inspire and communicate with others. I speak three languages (English, Polish and Italian) so I connect easily with both home and international students. As a Glyndwr graduate I stayed close to the local community, working with Wrexham Rugby Clubthe North Wales Crusaders where I created marketing campaigns and helped to grow the awareness for the team. For the last three years counting I have designed match day playing kits for the team, as well as all the promo materials for both the team and all the community events that are organised by it. I feel strongly connected to Wrexham community not only by working with North Wales Crusaders and Welsh Rugby League but also as one of the funding members of an artistic group of Glyndwr graduates Gloop, where we work together to create interest for art around North Wales and Shropshire area.
In Summary My continued devotion to Fine Art I believe I will be an excellent asset to the University team. I have proven that both my academic and practical experience meets all the required criteria for this post. This exciting opportunity will hopefully allow me to inspire and nurture new immerging artists, equipping them with the real world knowledge of working as an artist and instilling a sense of confidence as they ready themselves after education.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at any point. My most recent works both fine art and commercial can be found on www.karolinaskorek.com Thank you for your time, Karolina Skorek.
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