ARTIST CV
Maciej Pestka (b. Poland) is a visual artist and constructor of narratives whose work explores the aesthetics of post-consumerism and the visceral tension between commercial allure and artistic subversion. His practice spans high-contrast photography, video installation, and photobook medium, moving between international galleries and global luxury commissions.
SELECTED MONOGRAPHS & SERIES
TERRAFORMA: MITZPE (2025) Large-scale installation exploring landscape and human intervention. Seven 2-meter tall works exhibited as part of the Terraforma.
PORTRAIT OF WARSAW (2023) A multi-location solo exhibition exploring the contemporary identity of Warsaw’s residents.
THE LIFE OF PSY (2014) Shortlisted for the International Photobook Dummy Award, Kassel. A study of celebrity culture and the absurdity of fame.
"The book is a little bit crazy, which I like." — Martin Parr
"It is beautifully produced. The design and printing is excellent." — Alec Soth
Slackwater (2014) & Presa de Lanzarote (2011) - Early foundational series exploring documentary narratives and environmental psychology.
2025 — Transformations: Modernity in the Third Polish Republic, Group Show (Photography & Video), National Museum in Kraków, POLAND
2025 — Terraforma, Group Show, Van Rij Gallery, Ćmielów, Poland
2023 — Portret Warszawiaka (Portrait of a Warsavian), Solo Show, Pod Gigantami, Warsaw, Poland
2023 — Portret Warszawiaka, Solo Show, Warsaw, Poland
2020 — Plastic Fantastic (Not), Solo Show, Dwie Zmiany Gallery, Sopot, Poland
2020 — Remedium, Solo Show, Słony Spichlerz, Gdańsk
2013 — 30/30, Group Show, Stary Browar Gallery, Poznań
2014 — Slackwater, Solo Show, The Copper House Gallery, Dublin
2014 — The Life of Psy, Solo Show/Book Launch, The Library Project, Dublin
2013— Myths and Legends of Eastern Europe, Group Show, Galerie LWW, Amsterdam
2011 — Gavin Friday’s 'Catholic', Album Artwork Exposition, Gallery of Photography, Dublin
Selected Commercial Clients:
Gavin Friday
Paul Costello
Alfaparf
Marco Pierre White
CD Projek Red
Philip Plein
FHM (Australia)
Diva Magazine (UK)
DNA Magazine (NY)
Life magazine (IE)
Irish Independent (IE)
Image magazine (IE)
Awards
2015 - One Eyeland Photography Awards 2015 - Fine Art -Still Life Category - Finalist
2014 - International Phtobook Dummy Award 2014, Kassel - Shortlisted
2013 - Propeller Award
2013 - The Undergraduate Awards - Highly Commended
2012 - Canon Creative Asia Photography Awards - Commercial and Fashion category - Bronze Award
2011 - Canon Creative Asia Photography Awards - Commercial and Fashion category - Bronze Award
2010 - International Color Awards - Nominee
Education
2013 - BA Photography (Honours), Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin
Exhibitions
2020/07 - Plastic Fantastic (not), solo show, Dwie Zmiany Gallery, Sopot
2020/07 - 30/30, group show, Stary Browar Gallery, Poznań
2020/02 - ReMedium, solo show, Słony Spichlerz, Gdańsk
2014/05 - Slackwater, solo show, The Copper House Gallery, Dublin
2014/02 - The Life of Psy, solo show and book launch, The Library Project, Dublin
2013/11 - Myths and Legends of Eastern Europe, group show, Galerie LWW, Amsterdam
2013/10 - Poznan Photo Diploma - finalists show, Galeria Słodownia, Poznań
2013/06 - Propeller Finalist Show, The Copper House Gallery, Dublin
2013/06 - Dublin Institiute of Technology Graduate 2013, Gallery of Photography, Dublin
2012/07 - Flux group show, South Studios, part of Photo Ireland Festival, Dublin
2012/07 - 20x20 group show, Inspirational Arts Gallery, part of Photo Ireland Festival, Dublin
2011/08 - Presa de Lanzarote photo book, Belfast Photo Festival, Belfast
2011/07 - Presa de Lanzarote photo book, Photo Ireland Festival, Dublin
2011/04 - Gavin Friday's 'Catholic' album artwork exposition, Gallery of Photography, Dublin
2010/06 - The Circus solo show, Fotopolis EXPO - Warsaw's Days of Photography, Warsaw
2009/09 - The Circus solo show, D-Light Studios, Dublin