Born in 1979. Since early age interested in the fact that the human sees the space in a manner perhaps not available to other beings. This special ability relates to noticing the symbolic dimension of reality. Subjectively, the flirtation of light and mind has always intrigued him the most, as well as the relation of man-nature-sacred. Mostly focused on landscape (as the most open physical and semantic field) but does not avoid any other -scapes.
Individual exhibitions
2023 Dreaming, Galeria “Dwór Karwacjanów” (Karwacjans’ Manor Art Gallery), Gorlice, PL.
2022 Axis mundi: roadside shrines & crosses, MCK “Sokół” Gallery, Nowy Sącz, PL.
2019 Axis mundi: roadside shrines & crosses, Polish Institute, Bratislava, Slovakia.
2019 Axis mundi: roadside shrines & crosses, National Museum of Przemyśl, Przemyśl, PL.
2019 Axis mundi: roadside shrines & crosses, Galeria “Dwór Karwacjanów” (Karwacjans’ Manor Art Gallery), Gorlice, PL.
2017 Trees-Shadows-Dreaming, International Photography Festival, Białystok Interphoto 2017, Białystok, PL.
Curator: dr Krzysztof Jurecki.
2014 Trees-Shadows-Dreaming, Galeria Dwór Karwacjanów (Karwacjans’ Manor Art Gallery), Gorlice, PL.
2012 Land–Scapes, Galeria Fotografii (Photography Gallery), Kraków, PL.
2 persons exhibitions
2011 Iconosphere of non-obviousness, Paweł Gomółka – orthodox icons, Krzysztof Ligęza – photography, Rabka-Zdrój, PL.
Group exhibitions
2018 Negotiating identity. Between real and virtual in the 21st century photography, FOTO-GEN Gallery, Wrocław, PL.
Curator: dr Krzysztof Jurecki.
Photograhps & 3D panoramas from Axis mundi: roadside shrines & crosses.
2013 Presence among Absent, Polish-Slovak House, Gorlice, PL.
Curators: Bogdan Konopka and Jerzy Madej.
2012 XVII Biennial of Mountain Photography, Muzeum Karkonoskie (The Karkonosze Museum), Jelenia Góra, PL.
2011 Romantic, Galeria Fotografii (Photography Gallery), Kraków, PL.
2010 Landscape Photographer of the Year 2010, National Theatre, London, UK.
2010 Wanderlust Travel Photo of the Year 2009, Earls Court, London and National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, UK.
Long term projects – not exhibited yet
2011-present: "Brickwork"
Long term documentary, historiosophical project – parallel story on destruction of brickwork and expanding the church in Stróże, Poland.
2011-present: "Pole(s)"
Pole(s): documentary project focused on category of chance, identity, belonging and relations between aesthetics & semantics in the context of romanticism, (surr)realism as well as personalism.
Bibliography
My books, catalogues etc.
- K. Ligęza, Dreaming. Exhibition catalogue, Wyskitna-Nowy Sącz, 2023.
- Expansion of church of The Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Poland in Stróże, Stróże 2020.
Community edition related to the “Brickwork” project. - K. Ligęza, Axis mundi: roadside shrines & crosses. Exhibition catalogue, Wyskitna-Kraków 2018.
- K. Ligęza, “You do not know your own”, Wyskitna-Kraków, 2014.
- K. Ligęza, Stróże at Biała (White) River, Kraków 2011.
Selected print publications with my images
Books, catalogues:
- Negotiating identity. Between real and virtual in the photography of the XXI century, exhibition catalogue, Wrocław 2018.
- Limits of tolerance. The catalogue of 3rd edition of International Photography Festival – Białystok Interphoto, Białystok 2017.
- Obecność pośród nieobecnych (Presence among absent). Exhibition catalogue, Kraków, Paryż, Warszawa, 2013.
- XVII Biennale of Mountain Photography. Awards catalogue, Jelenia Góra 2012.
- Landscape Photographer of the Year: Collection 4, London 2010.
Press
My selected texts (online)
- K. Ligęza, A few words from author [in:] Axis mundi: roadside shrines and crosse. Exhibition catalogue, by K. Ligęza, Wyskitna-Kraków 2018.
- K. Ligęza, Month on photography in Krakow, “Format” (Fine Art Academy ASP Wrocław periodic), nr 79-80, 2018, p. 92-95.
- “You do not know your own”, by. K. Ligęza, Wyskitna-Kraków, 2014.
- K. Ligęza, Pessimistic moralist: on literature of Stanisław Lem, “Konspekt” nr 19, 2004, p. 179.
Texts on/with my works (online)
- S. Dowell, Evocative photo essay captures ancient custom of praying at roadside shrines, “The First News” 2022
- Ch. Aufderheide, The Layered Meanings of Poland’s Wayside Shrines, Smithsonian Folklife Magazine, January 2021.
- M. Dziura, Axis mundi: roadside shrines and crosses, “Nasz Przemyśl”, March 2019.
- K. Jurecki, Axis mundi: roadside shrines and crosses [in:] Axis mundi: roadside shrines and crosses. Exhibition catalogue by. K. Ligęza, Wyskitna-Kraków 2018.
- K. Jurecki, Not only on identity… Curator’s credo [in:] Negotiating identity. Between real and virtual in the photography of the XXI century, exhibition catalogue, Wrocław 2018.
- K. Jurecki, Obligatory questions and hidden confessions [in:] Limits of tolerance. Catalogue of 3rd edition of International Photography Festival – Białystok Interphoto, Białystok 2017.
- P. Nowicki, Trees-Shadows-Dreaming of Krzysztof Ligęza [in:] Didaskalia, Gorlice-Tuchów, 2016.
- P. Zięba, Eternal now. On photography of Krzysztof Ligęza, „Południca”, (2) 2015.
Media/Interviews etc.
- Exhibition views and media – full list of publications related to exhibits
- TV reportage of TV Lux on Axis mundi: roadside shrines and crosse exhibition at Polish Institute in Bratislava, 2019.
- “Monitor Polski” – reportage on Axis mundi: roadside shrines and crosses in Bratislava, 2019.
- Radio RTVS – on Axis mundi: roadside shrines and crosses in Bratislava, 2019.
- Video reportage of TVP Rzeszów on exhibition Axis mundi: roadside shrines and crosses in National Museum of Przemyśl, 2019 (from 19th minute).
- Portal “Szeroki kadr” – presentation of my photographs in “Inspiration” column, 2019.
- Film interview on photographs shown on Negotiating identity: Between real and virtual in the 21st century photography, FOTO-GEN, DOKIS, 2018.
- Video reportage of DOKIS from exhibition Negotiating identity: between real and virtual in the 21st century photography, FOTO-GEN, DOKIS, 2018.
- Video reportage of AHE from exhibition Between real and virtual in the 21st century photography, FOTO-GEN, 2018.
Formal education
1999-2004 MA, Polish Studies (language & literature) Pedagogical University, Kraków.
2001-2003 FD, journalism, Pedagogical University, Kraków.
Personal Interest
Cultural geography, history, theory of art, literature, philosophy, religious studies, theology.
Commendations
2022 Scholarship – Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of Poland.
Scholarship (12 months) – Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of Poland.
Visual arts.
Project: Dreaming.
2020 International Photography Awards, Los Angeles, USA.
2018 Scholarship – Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of Poland.
Scholarship (12 months):
Visual arts.
Project: Axis mundi: roadside shrines & crosses
2013 International Photography Awards, Los Angeles, USA.
1. Photographs from Trees-Shadows-Dreaming series:
Sacred Groove set: The Eagle, Faces of Time, Shadow Beings, The Cloudyawner
2. Selected images from Pole(s)series.
3. God speed the plow set:
Conjunction 2
4. Singles:
77, Grybów
2012 International Photography Awards, Los Angeles, USA.
Photographs from Trees-Shadows-Dreaming:
- Dolphin
- L for Lemming
- Garden
- Low Tide Daydreaming
- Snow Wave of Light
- Faces of Time
plus Snowquivalents – opening set of unpublished series Dreaming.
2012 Prix De La Photo, Paris, France.
Photography from Trees-Shadows-Dreaming:
2011 International Photography Awards, Los Angeles, USA.
Photograph from Trees-Shadows-Dreaming series.
2010 Landscape Photographer of the Year, London, UK.
2010 Landscape Photographer of the Year, London, UK:
2010 Wanderlust Travel Photo of the Year 2009, London, UK.
Photograph from Trees-Shadows-Dreaming:
