Joanna Ambroz, Doctor of Arts
Unspoken meanings and embarrassing thoughts. I work in painting, art research, poster design, and books in a total sense. My works explore taboo topics, relationships, pleasures, and the discomforts that arise from confronting oneself. Simplicity and conciseness are crucial to me: to express profound ideas through metaphor. The essence.
I defended my Ph.D. at the Academy of Fine Arts in Katowice (2023) with a dissertation titled Come, I will Show You My Knives. A Method for Creating Reflective Books. The practical component, the book Come, I will Show You My Knives, has been added to the collection of the National Museum in Poznań, honoured in the Most Beautiful Polish Book of the Year 2023 competition, and presented at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp. I completed my Master’s studies with the highest distinction and the Rector’s Honours (2018) and my Bachelor’s degree with the highest distinction and the Rector’s Medal (2016), both at the Academy of Fine Arts in Katowice. My Bachelor’s diploma work, the book Cut – The Hair of the Polish Folks, was published by BOSZ Publishing (2017) and included in the collection of the National Museum in Poznań (2023). I was featured in the Young Art Compass (2022, 2024). My work has been showcased in Teleexpress, Label Magazine, and Radio Trójka, among others. I live in Warsaw.
I see my activities as a research process where recognizing patterns in my own behaviour or in the behaviour of those close to me—often inhibiting and destructive—serves as a catalyst to explore new areas, both visual and conceptual. Through examining these observations, I try to confront uncomfortable behaviours and replace them with those that foster self-development and growth. Instead of focusing on aesthetic or formal aspects, I prioritize reflection on content and meaning, turning it into a tool for social and intellectual critique. In this context, artistic creation serves a research function for me, acting as a way of asking questions rather than providing ready-made answers.
In my work, I use two colours: red and blue. Red represents awareness, tension, temperament, and conflict. Blue symbolizes the subconscious, harmony, reflection, and mourning. I am intrigued by the interaction between these colours and the contrast that creates an exchange between the intensity of experiences and the compulsion to block them.
For inquiries, please contact:
ambrozjoanna@gmail.com
ambrozjoanna@gmail.com
Works in collections
‣ National Museum in Poznan, PL (2021, 2022, 2023)
‣ Poster Museum in Wilanów, PL (2019)
‣ Poster Museum in Wilanów, PL (2019)
Wykształcenie
2018–2023
Doctoral Studies, Academy of Fine Arts in Katowice, Poland
2016–2018
Honours, Master's degree, Academy of Fine Arts in Katowice, Poland
2012–2016
Honours with medal, Bachelor's degree, Academy of Fine Arts in Katowice, Poland
2006–2012
Jacek Malczewski's School of Fine Art, Czestochowa, Poland
2013
Sculpture fellowship, Tomas Bata University in Zlín, Czech Republic
2011
Sculpture fellowship, Tomas Bata University in Zlín, Czech Republic
2011
CENCAL, Caldas de Raina, Portugal, Art Scholarship as part of a European Union Program – Leonardo Da Vinci, Portugal
Selected solo exhibitions
‣ The Memory that was stuck by fever, R2OT Gallery, Nice, France, 2025
‣ After all this, you will never be yourself again., R2OT Gallery, Warsaw, Poland, 2025
‣ I Was Assigned the Role of a Strong Man, InPost Management Office, Warsaw, organized by OmenaArt Foundation
Curator: Renata Łysik, Warsaw, Poland 2025
‣ After all this, you will never be yourself again., R2OT Gallery, Warsaw, Poland, 2025
‣ I Was Assigned the Role of a Strong Man, InPost Management Office, Warsaw, organized by OmenaArt Foundation
Curator: Renata Łysik, Warsaw, Poland 2025
‣ I am Over It, I Am Over It, Goldenmark, Warsaw, Poland
Curator: Maria Blanka Grzybowska, coordination: Diana Stajszczak, 14 May–13 June 2024
Curator: Maria Blanka Grzybowska, coordination: Diana Stajszczak, 14 May–13 June 2024
‣ Doesn't any burning issue affect your plans, your life or the planet?, Marszalkowska 18 Gallery, Warsaw, 19.10.2023–02.12.2023,
‣ I don't love you, because you ate my cheesecake*.
Warszawa Powisle, Warsaw, 26.11.2021-6.02.2022
‣ When something is thought, it's as if it has already happened a little bit, OPK Gaude Mater, Czestochowa, Text for the exhibition: prof. Irma Kozina,15.06–10.07.2019
‣ I ordered my tongue to nail the nails
PIK Gallery, Ostrów Wielkopolski, 22.04.2021-5.06.2021
‣ Social poster and some insulting radicals, Melina Gallery,
Gliwice, 22.11.2019-20.01.2020
‣ Shame, Sztuka Wyboru Gallery, Gdansk, 16-28.02.2019
Warszawa Powisle, Warsaw, 26.11.2021-6.02.2022
‣ When something is thought, it's as if it has already happened a little bit, OPK Gaude Mater, Czestochowa, Text for the exhibition: prof. Irma Kozina,15.06–10.07.2019
‣ I ordered my tongue to nail the nails
PIK Gallery, Ostrów Wielkopolski, 22.04.2021-5.06.2021
‣ Social poster and some insulting radicals, Melina Gallery,
Gliwice, 22.11.2019-20.01.2020
‣ Shame, Sztuka Wyboru Gallery, Gdansk, 16-28.02.2019
‣ History of the Częstochowa Match Factory, a series of posters,Iron Ore Museum, Railway Museum, Match Factory Museum (three exhibitions), Częstochowa 10.06.2017
‣ Cut – the hair of the Polish folks, KM 0 Gallery, Warsaw 27.05.2017-11.06.2017
‣ Cut - the hair of the Polish people, Pojedyncza Gallery,
Katowice 27.10.2016-9.11.2016
‣ Put together (Poukładane), Off-Art Gallery, Czestochowa, 5-18.11.2015
‣ Cut – the hair of the Polish folks, KM 0 Gallery, Warsaw 27.05.2017-11.06.2017
‣ Cut - the hair of the Polish people, Pojedyncza Gallery,
Katowice 27.10.2016-9.11.2016
‣ Put together (Poukładane), Off-Art Gallery, Czestochowa, 5-18.11.2015
Selected international group exhibitions:
‣ Duo: (HUMAN) Nature, with Magdalena Zych, The CAMP Gallery, Miami, USA, 2025
‣ VOLTA New York Art Fair, with The CAMP Gallery, Miami, USA, 2024
‣ VOLTA New York Art Fair, with The CAMP Gallery, Miami, USA, 2024
‣ VOLTA New York Art Fair, with The CAMP Gallery, Miami, USA, 2024
‣ Art on a Postcard, Bomb Factory Art Foundation, London, 2024
‣ International Poster Biennial in Bolivia “BICeBé”, La Paz, Bolivia, 2023
‣ Eve Leibe Gallery, London, Eve Presents Number Three, 2023
‣ The 8th DAEJEON International Art Show 2022, South Korea, 2022
‣ Women in poster, China, 2022.
‣ 2nd International Poster Triennial in Cyprus, Cyprus, 2022
‣ Bolivia International Poster Biennale "BICeBé", poster, Bolivia, 2021
‣ Das kleine Format, 11th Internationale Biennale der Miniaturen aus Tschenstocha, Galerie Brötzinger Art, Pforzheim-Brötzingen, paintig, Germany, 2021
‣ Meat Design Festival, Design out of the box, book,
Ostrava, Czech Republic, 2019
‣ Social Poster - New Polish Poster Exhibition 2019, Glasgow, United Kingdom, 2019.
‣ International Poster Trienale in Trnava, Slovakia, 2018.
‣ Ratata Festival, Exhibition of illustrations from the book "Empty Place at the Table", together with Joanna Concejo, Macerata, Italy, 2017.
‣ TYPHLO & TACTUS, final of the book competition for blind children, book "Feelings" France, 2017.
‣ Art on a Postcard, Bomb Factory Art Foundation, London, 2024
‣ International Poster Biennial in Bolivia “BICeBé”, La Paz, Bolivia, 2023
‣ Eve Leibe Gallery, London, Eve Presents Number Three, 2023
‣ The 8th DAEJEON International Art Show 2022, South Korea, 2022
‣ Women in poster, China, 2022.
‣ 2nd International Poster Triennial in Cyprus, Cyprus, 2022
‣ Bolivia International Poster Biennale "BICeBé", poster, Bolivia, 2021
‣ Das kleine Format, 11th Internationale Biennale der Miniaturen aus Tschenstocha, Galerie Brötzinger Art, Pforzheim-Brötzingen, paintig, Germany, 2021
‣ Meat Design Festival, Design out of the box, book,
Ostrava, Czech Republic, 2019
‣ Social Poster - New Polish Poster Exhibition 2019, Glasgow, United Kingdom, 2019.
‣ International Poster Trienale in Trnava, Slovakia, 2018.
‣ Ratata Festival, Exhibition of illustrations from the book "Empty Place at the Table", together with Joanna Concejo, Macerata, Italy, 2017.
‣ TYPHLO & TACTUS, final of the book competition for blind children, book "Feelings" France, 2017.
Scholarships and grands
2022
‣ Pro-Quality Scholarship of the Katowice Academy of Fine Arts
2021
‣ Pro-Quality Scholarship of the Katowice Academy of Fine Arts
2020
‣ Pro-Quality Scholarship of the Katowice Academy of Fine Arts
‣ Scholarship of the Rector of ASP Katowice for the Best Doctoral Students
2019
‣ Scholarship of the Rector of ASP Katowice for the Best Doctoral Students
‣ Artistic Scholarship of the Mayor of Czestochowa
2018
‣ Lotto and Totalizator Sportowy Foundation Scholarship 100 per 100, 100 scholarships for the Polish Independence Centenary for academic achievements and active social attitude.
2017
‣ Scholarship of the Rector of ASP Katowice for the Best Students
2016
‣ Patronage by Patronite and ZIPSEE Cyfrowa Polska
‣ Artistic Scholarship of the Mayor of Czestochowa
‣ Scholarship of the Rector of ASP Katowice for the Best Students
‣ Pro-Quality Scholarship of the Katowice Academy of Fine Arts
2021
‣ Pro-Quality Scholarship of the Katowice Academy of Fine Arts
2020
‣ Pro-Quality Scholarship of the Katowice Academy of Fine Arts
‣ Scholarship of the Rector of ASP Katowice for the Best Doctoral Students
2019
‣ Scholarship of the Rector of ASP Katowice for the Best Doctoral Students
‣ Artistic Scholarship of the Mayor of Czestochowa
2018
‣ Lotto and Totalizator Sportowy Foundation Scholarship 100 per 100, 100 scholarships for the Polish Independence Centenary for academic achievements and active social attitude.
2017
‣ Scholarship of the Rector of ASP Katowice for the Best Students
2016
‣ Patronage by Patronite and ZIPSEE Cyfrowa Polska
‣ Artistic Scholarship of the Mayor of Czestochowa
‣ Scholarship of the Rector of ASP Katowice for the Best Students