Katarzyna Derkacz-Gajewska — a visual artist and graduate of the Faculty of Graphic Arts at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw. In 2003, she graduated with honours from the Book Design Studio led by Professor Maciej Buszewicz, completing a photography diploma supplement with distinction under Professor Rosław Szaybo and a printmaking supplement under Professor Rafał Strent.
She was the first person in the Academy’s history to receive the Academy of Fine Arts Medal for outstanding achievements and contributions to the institution. She is a recipient of a scholarship from the Polish Minister of Culture and National Heritage and has received numerous awards, distinctions, and nominations across various artistic disciplines. Her work has been exhibited both in Poland and internationally.
At the centre of her artistic practice is Oxydacja, an original project initiated in 2025, through which she has developed a distinctive visual language based on the transformative properties of matter. Working with natural processes of iron and copper oxidation on unconventional surfaces such as recycled cardboard, she challenges the boundaries between painting, printmaking, and material experimentation. Corrosion becomes both a creative force and a co-author of the image, allowing time, chance, and the autonomy of matter to shape the work beyond the artist’s direct control. Her practice explores the tension between deliberate artistic intervention and unpredictable natural processes, transforming the image into a living, continuously evolving work.
Alongside her artistic practice, she has been dedicated to art education for children, young people, and adults for 23 years. Closely connected with the State Secondary School of Fine Arts in Warsaw and the Academy of Fine Arts,
she actively promotes art, develops artistic education, and supports emerging artists.
She is a finalist of the 20th Arte Laguna Prize in Venice.
Participation in exhibitions:, including /2000 – 2020/ - Workshop graphics, ANEKS Gallery; Photography exhibition, Nidzica Castle; Painting exhibition “Master and student” – PKO BP Bank; Photography exhibition, Wieża Gallery; Artistic book, Paris; Book and painting exhibition – Action Gallery; Post-competition exhibition of the Warsaw Festival of Art Photography at the LUFCIK Gallery; art book “14 authors of the Way of the Cross”,
Exhibition of Polish illustrations for J.H. Andersen, Denmark: Herning, Roskilde, Kirke Hyllinge, Kosoer, Ramsoe, Hoeng, Nakskov, Municipal Art Gallery in Łódź, BWA Gallery in Krosno, BWA Design Gallery in Wrocław, Municipal Library in the Pomeranian Library in Szczecin, BWA Galleries in Kielce and Busko-Zdrój, Municipal Cultural, Sports and Recreation Centre in Chełmek, Museum of Warsaw Printing, BWA Gallery in Płock, Museum of Papermaking in Duszniki-Zdrój, EL Gallery and Library in Elbląg, Municipal Cultural Centre in Łańcut, BWA DESIGN in Wrocław, Hieronim Łopaciński Municipal Public Library in Lublin.
- from December 2006 to December 2008 participation in the International Book Art – “CZAS” exhibition /among others, Ireland - National Print Museum in Dublin, Łódź – Willa Wólczańska Gallery, BWA DESIGN in Wrocław, Alfred Smoczyk Municipal Public Library, Hieronim Łopaciński in Lublin, Krosno – BWA Gallery, Pomeranian Library – Szczecin, Płock, Kielce, Duszniki Zdrój, Elbląg /, "Collection of Polish Art Books..." BUW in Warsaw, "Bushmen in Krakow" in Krakow, Gallery on the galleries in Warsaw regular exhibitions from 2005-2018.
Since 2021 numerous exhibitions of paintings and graphics in Poland.
From 2003-2024 artistic education of children.
Awards and distinctions:
1997- XXI National Competition of Plastic Arts, Gdańsk /award/
1998 – International Graphic Competition, Toruń, Lidice, Bitola /award/
2000 - Scholarship of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage
2002 – Medal of the Warsaw Academy of Fine Arts for exceptional artistic achievements, active attitude
and activities for the university.
2005 - Grand Prix at the Warsaw Festival of Artistic Photography.
2006 - distinction in the 47th PTWK Most Beautiful Books of the Year Competition
from 2007-2010 distinctions in the "Paper Obsession" competition - CEZEX - "Master's Design" category for the catalog design
2007 - nomination in the competition for the Most Beautiful Book of the Year "Mówka mrówki do sówki" U. Butkiewicz / cover, illustrations, graphic design /
2010 - distinction for the book "Kuchnia Polska" - in the PTWK Most Beautiful Books of the Year competition
2010- Nomination for the "Anioł" catalog award - PTWK Most Beautiful Books of the Year Competition
2010 - distinction for the catalog design for the exhibition for the Ursynów Commune in the competition for the most beautiful books of the year
2020 - award in the Warsaw photography marathon
2025: solo exhibition "Diada" at Dom Kultury Ferment, Warsaw; Immagine Re-Made at Palazzo Bellini, Florence; and the competition exhibition The Work of Paper at Green & Stone Gallery.
2026- Exhibition at "MAster Galery", Warsaw; solo exhibition at "Galeria Ł", Warsaw.
