About

Piotr Marek was born in Kraków in 1950, where he lived and worked until his death in 1985. His father was a well-known Kraków-based sculptor and professor, while his mother was a respected art conservator.

Piotr Marek was a versatile artist. He worked in painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, photography, performance art, fashion, and music. He was a multi-instrumentalist, producer, composer, and lyricist. He also created self-built instruments as well as various devices and effects that led him to a unique and timeless sound. His final original musical and performative project was the legendary band Düpą, whose album was only released in 2025 — 40 years after Marek’s death.

In all the fields of art he practiced, Piotr Marek was a perfectionist, but above all he was a person curious about new phenomena and an open-minded observer who approached everything with a sense of distance. Thanks to this, the quality of his work has a timeless and unprecedented dimension in terms of pioneering spirit and courage. He was a rebel and a provocateur who approached the material of his expression with remarkable humility.

Despite the unfavorable conditions of life and artistic work in the People’s Republic of Poland, Piotr Marek was a very prolific artist. In 1971, he was accepted into the Association of Polish Artists and Designers (ZPAP) as the youngest member in history, even though he did not hold the required formal qualifications. His paintings were purchased by art dealers from all over Western Europe. To this day, a large portion of Piotr Marek’s works remains abroad in private collections.

The discussion about Piotr Marek at the East of Culture – Different Sounds festival is part of an ongoing initiative to bring his legacy closer to a wider audience, which has resulted in growing interest in his work among both older and younger generations.

Participants in the discussion: Mikołaj Kownacki (member of the band Pop Magic – the label that released the Düpą album, curator of an exhibition of Piotr Marek’s works, son of Krzysztof Kownacki – a friend and collaborator of Piotr Marek), Andrzej “Biedrona” Biedrzycki (saxophonist of Düpą), and Mateusz Sroczyński (music journalist).

Mateusz Sroczyński – journalist and music critic, as well as an activator of the independent music scene. He focuses on alternative music, improvisation, and counterculture. He is associated with JazzPRESS, “Czas Kultury”, the IR2 platform operating within the Reportage Institute, “Ruch Muzyczny”, and “Noise Magazine”. He has also published in “Glissando”, the Soundrive portal, the literary monthly “Twórczość”, and the quarterly “Lizard”. He has collaborated with the collective Krzysztofory – Studio of Culture in Kraków. On Jazzkultura radio, he hosted the program “Jest alternatywa”. He curates the concert series of improvised music Kakofonie, which he co-creates with the Betel club in Kraków. He is the author of the report “Wiecznie żyje i króluje w podziemiu” (IR2), devoted to Piotr Marek and the band Düpą.

Details

When: July 3, 2026, 15:45-17:00
Where: Workshops of Culture in Lublin, Grodzka 5a – auditorium 2nd floor
Admission free

As part of this year’s edition of the East of Culture – Different Sounds festival, we will also present the exhibition of paintings and graphic works by Piotr Marek, as well as the visual legacy connected with the artistic output and activity of the band Düpą. The exhibition titled “Zemsta Hegara” is curated by Mikołaj Kownacki – a musician and visual artist, member of the band Pop Magic – the label that released the Düpą album (2025), son of Krzysztof Kownacki – a friend and collaborator of Piotr Marek.

Accessibility

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