You’ve Got to Be Here!

For nearly twenty years, Elka Krajewska had accompanied her mother, Maria (KrajM), in her creative process as her mentor, co-creator of works, exhibition organizer, guide to the art world. KrajM in fact combines the potential of the two women, who support and inspire each other, experiencing their mother-daughter creativity in the Matria, a shared space that tenderly and persistently connects reality with the world of art, imagination and emotions.

Maria was struggling with Alzheimer’s illness for the last few years. Painting and drawing became a vital part of keeping her functioning in daily life for as long as possible. KrajM died this summer, on the 1st of August. Her most recent works originate from 2021, thus You’ve Got to Be Here! looks backwards in time as much as it immerses itself in what exists here and now.

The exhibition’s title designates a space stimulated by work, love, attention and care. It is a quote from Elka Krajewska’s notes: ‘You’ve got to be here’ – I interpret these words, said in the spring of 2021, as a warrant to arrive, to return, to pay attention, to accompany her in this new period of life; it also validates the processes experienced by my ailing mother. You’ve got to BE here, (not to think), to look, to see, because something important is going on here, this is the way.

You’ve Got to Be Here! is a story about language in the context of its loss and developing new ways to communicate. It is a journey – full of emotions and unstated intuitions – through illness and everything around it. The exhibition features Elka Krajewska’s works, such as Dromoi Pros Matria, a documentary video-collage with beautiful music by Felice Rosser, photographs, installations and paintings. A vital aspect of the show is the presence of other artists, whom Elka Krajewska invited to join her in bidding farewell to KrajM.