A 7th Woman

Video and photographic installation tilted “A 7th Woman” which Dyczkowska produced during her residency at Ulster University and Platform Arts Gallery in 2018/ 2019. Inspired by Johns Berger’s book “A 7th Man” which portrayed the experiences of migrant men in Europe in the 1970s, Dyczkowska drew attention to a modern migrant woman and explored the states of uncertainty and anxiety brought about by tumultuous events in British politics.

The work centered and responded directly to an app called “EU Exit: ID Document Check”, which was used to grant the right to remain in the UK after Brexit. Dyczkowska collaborated with other female Eastern European artists based in Northern Ireland. They voiced concerns and fears in relation to the new post-Brexit reality. Dyczkowska then photographed the women from behind, adding an element of performance and protest to the work.

This piece served as an attempt to find a voice, not only for Dyczkowska herself but for other European women living in the UK. “A 7th Woman” was first shown at Platform Arts Gallery during her first solo show, then at the Graduate in Residence Show at Ulster University, and  during Polish Cultural Week in Belfast in 2019. In 2021 fragment of this installation was selected and displayed during  The ‘Portrait of Northern Ireland - Neither an Elegy nor a Manifesto’ Exhibition at Golden Thread Gallery.

Photographs: Simon Mills 

Platform Arts Gallery, Belfast 2019