Natalia Lach Lachowicz Paintings

Natalia Lach-Lachowicz, known as Natalia LL, was a pioneering Polish artist born on April 5, 1937, in Żywiec, Poland. She was a significant figure in the avant-garde art movement of the 1960s and 1970s, especially within the realm of feminist art. Natalia LL's work was groundbreaking in that it often challenged traditional representations of the female body and sexuality in art, making her a crucial voice in the discourse around gender and eroticism.

Natalia LL studied at the State Higher School of Fine Arts in Wrocław, where she graduated in 1963. In the early years of her career, she was associated with the Permafo group, which she co-founded with Andrzej Lachowicz and Zbigniew Dłubak. The group was integral to the development of conceptual art in Poland. Natalia LL's practice encompassed photography, drawing, performance, and video art. Her art often featured repetitive, serial structures and explored the commercial and mythological aspects of human experience, particularly focusing on consumer culture and the media.

One of her most well-known series is 'Consumer Art' (1972–1975), which featured close-up images of women erotically consuming bananas, sausages, and jelly. These works were controversial and provocative, as they juxtaposed the banality of eating with the suggestion of sexual pleasure, thereby commenting on the objectification of women in advertising and mass media. Her work from this period was a precursor to some of the themes that would later be explored in depth by the feminist art movement.

Throughout her career, Natalia LL received various awards and her works were exhibited in numerous solo and group exhibitions around the world. Her contribution to the field of contemporary art has been recognized both within Poland and internationally. She continued to create and exhibit her art throughout her life, remaining engaged with the evolving discourse of feminist and conceptual art.

Natalia LL passed away on August 12, 2022. She left behind a legacy that is marked by her exploration of the body, sexuality, and feminist issues through a conceptual lens. Her influence extends beyond her homeland, contributing to a broader understanding of the role of women in art and society.