Aleksandra Karpowicz
Chemo Challenge (2026) was a six-month practice developed by the artist during chemotherapy. It was a self-imposed commitment to remain in contact with the present moment at a time when the body, mind, and future felt uncertain. Each day began with a simple structure: a morning walk and a moment of turning towards herself.
The work is presented as pairs of photographs. One image is a self-portrait taken each day, the other a photograph of nature encountered during the walk. Together, they reflect an ongoing attempt to stay present, to witness both internal and external realities without trying to control or resolve them.
At the centre of the practice was a small gesture. The artist promised herself to offer a smile each day. At times this was possible. At times it was not. The inability to complete the gesture did not break the commitment, but deepened it. What emerged was not consistency, but a different understanding of presence. One that includes discomfort, resistance, and emotional weight.
The pairing of images creates a dialogue between the body and its surroundings. Chemo Challenge documents a practice of staying with what is.