Blood

"The anthology "Blood" illustrates the multitude of meanings of blood, ranging from its mythical dimension (magical power attributed to menstrual blood), through the symbolism of inheritance, the inevitability of genealogical continuation, but also revenge, violence, to a very specific connotation with bodily suffering. Aesthetically, "Blood" touches many layers of art, not just comics - we find references to the woodcut pre-comics of Frans Maseerel or Lynd Ward, the subtlety of a graphic portrait, cartoon saving line, photomontage and psychedelic references to science fiction. The uniqueness and timeliness of the anthology lies in the very placement of blood in the title, and thus the program, implemented exclusively with the participation of comic artists: Beata Sosnowska, Natalia Kulka, Maria Kadyszewska, Anna Krztoń, Olga Wróbel, Aga Gójska, Zavka, Marta Zabłocka, Katarzyna Kowalczyk. The gender discourse signaled here leaves behind the black and white patriarchal-martyrological-homeland assignments and reveals, masterfully avoiding literalism, the cultural determinants of categories such as gender, class, and genre. "Blood" through its controversial concept, and at the same time semantic multiplicity, somehow offers a Polish response to the recently created feminist and gender comics Liv Strömquist and, like them and as they have a chance to become an event on the comic market." --Kalina Kupczyńska