Let's Paint Catholicism Again


Let's Paint Catholicism Again – a project aimed at renewing Western sacral painting, introducing high-quality contemporary painting to the Catholic churches and revitalizing the artistic patronage. Its originator was Dariusz Karłowicz. It was initiated by three cooperating institutions: Saint Nicholas Foundation, Political Theology and St. John Paul II Institute of Culture. The project consists of a range of initiatives, including a book series Let's Paint Catholicism Again, seminars, conferences, lectures, and art exhibitions.
Each year a Mystery of the Rosary is selected. A group of invited Polish painters create paintings illustrating the Mystery. The process of painting is preceded by workshops aimed at broadening the artists' knowledge in the field of theology, philosophy, and art history. The invited lecturers have so far been, among others: Rev. Prof. Marek Starowieyski, Fr. Jarosław Kupczak OP, Anna Kilian, Bazyli Degórski, Izabela Rutkowska, Rev. bishop Jacek Grzybowski, Fr. Paweł Trzopek OP, Sr. Joanna Nowińska, Fr. Dominik Jurczak OP. The workshops took place i.a. at the Benedictine Abbey in Tyniec, in former monastery complexes in Hebdów and Wigry.

Artists

Each year, paintings are being created by Jarosław Modzelewski, Ignacy Czwartos, Beata Stankiewicz, Krzysztof Klimek, Jacek Hajnos OP, Wojciech Głogowski, Artur Wąsowski, Grzegorz Wnęk, Bogna Podbielska, and Jacek Dłużewski.
Also, in every edition, one painter of the younger generation takes part. So far, in chronological order, Wincenty Czwartos, Michał Żądło, Ewa Czwartos, and Karolina Żądło have participated.

Art exhibitions

I Edition – the [Divine Mercy image]

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The first Edition of the project took place in the Basilica of the Holy Trinity in Kraków in November 2022 and was inaugurated with an exhibition of 10 paintings of Divine Mercy image. Later, the paintings were exhibited in Warsaw, Rome.

II Edition – [Annunciation]

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In 2023, each artist created two paintings: a larger one intended for use in churches, and smaller one intended for private worship.
The exhibition took place in the undergrounds of St. Florian's Cathedral in Warsaw, San Salvatore in Lauro in Rome, St. Sigismundus's church in Częstochowa, Podlaska Opera and Orchestra house in Białystok, and in the Diocesan Museum in Opole.

III Edition – Visitation">Visitation (Christianity)">Visitation

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For the III Edition, 20 paintings were created. The first exhibition took place in the undergrounds of St. Florian's Cathedral in Warsaw, the Community Centre in Bielsko-Biała and San Salvetore in Lauro.

IV Edition – Nativity">Nativity of Jesus">Nativity

After taking part in workshops on the Nativity of Jesus Christ, the painters illustrated the third Joyful Mystery of the Rosary, creating two images: the Nativity and of Adoration of the Child Jesus. The exhibition is planned for November 2025 and will take place in the St. Florian's Cathedral in Warsaw.

V Edition – Presentation">Presentation of Jesus">Presentation

The artists are currently preparing theologically for illustrating the fourth Mystery. The exhibition is planned for 2026.

Accompanying events

Book series "Let's Paint Catholicism Again" – a book series published by Political Theology, aiming at popularising knowledge in the field of culture, arts and theology.
  1. Izabela Rutkowska, Przez zasłonę ciała. Warsaw, 2022.
  2. Priest Janusz Pasierb, Kult i kultura. Warsaw, 2024.
  3. Alain Besançon, Zakazany obraz. Intelektualna historia ikonoklazmu, the first polish translation of L'image interdite: une histoire intellectuelle de l'iconoclasme.