Some paintings evoke admiration, others opposition, but it is rare for art to stir such extreme emotions as the works of Borys Fiodorowicz. His creations balance on the edge of the sacred and the contemporary, placing religious figures in settings familiar from streets, newspapers, or social media. The Virgin Mary in an Adidas hoodie, Jesus feeding pigeons in Kraków’s Planty Park—for some, it is a modern interpretation of spirituality; for others, a deliberate provocation.
And what if it’s simply a question: What would holiness look like if it came to us here and now?
Art that speaks the contemporary language
Religious paintings have always been a reflection of their times. Saints bore the features of local inhabitants, and their robes often resembled the clothing of the people living in that era. What we now consider a classic depiction of the Virgin Mary was once just as “modern” as tracksuits or smartphones are today. However, contemporary visual culture has accustomed us to seeing religious imagery as untouchable, confined within golden frames on church walls.
Borys Fiodorowicz demystifies this vision—quite literally. In his works, the sacred is not detached from everyday life. Miłosierdzie XXL portrays Jesus in a hoodie with the word “Love”—perhaps this is how he would communicate his message in today’s world? No Animal Testing depicts a holy figure with a white rat on their shoulder, prompting reflection on the ethics of animal testing. And Bliżej Nieba – the Virgin Mary with the Child bouncing on a trampoline—is it a humorous metaphor for spiritual lightness, or a question of whether there’s a shortcut to heaven?
Each of these works brings the sacred into the contemporary world, evoking emotions and prompting reflection on how we perceive spirituality in modern culture.
Outrage? Indignation? Or perhaps simply a sign that someone has touched on a topic that truly resonates?
The boundary between art and provocation
There will always be someone who sees this kind of art as “too much,” “an attack on religion,” or “sensationalism for the sake of it.” But the real question is: why does a contemporary interpretation of religious themes evoke such strong emotions, while portraying saints in the style of Renaissance painters seems completely normal to us? Could it be that Borys Fiodorowicz’s works aren’t actually controversial—but rather, it’s our attachment to a single, unquestioned vision of the sacred that is?
Poland is a country where culture and religion are deeply intertwined. We grew up with images of saints with motionless faces, dressed in gold-adorned robes—depictions meant to remain unchanged. When someone presents them in a new context, it provokes resistance. The growing discussion around the “protection of religious feelings” in public debate only adds to this, turning every unconventional interpretation of faith into a battleground.
Art should do exactly that—ask difficult questions and inspire reflection.
Art that provokes thought
The paintings of Borys Fiodorowicz were not created to shock or provoke controversy. Instead, they serve as an invitation to reflect on how spirituality might look in today’s world. Would saints still wear long robes, or would they dress like ordinary people—in tracksuits, jeans, and everyday clothing? Would they hold a traditional cross in their hands, or perhaps a phone, a coffee cup, or other objects of modern daily life? And what about their prayers—would they remain the same, or take on a new, more contemporary form?
For some, such depictions cross boundaries, provoke opposition, and challenge ingrained perceptions of the sacred. For others, they are proof that spirituality is not confined to a single, unchanging image—that it can exist and evolve even in a world that is constantly changing.
And you? How do you envision the sacred today?
Collectible Prints by Borys Fiodorowicz
If his art moves you and makes you reflect, now you can have it in your collection. Each print is available in a limited edition, individually numbered, hand-signed by the artist, and printed on the highest-quality fine art paper. You can choose the format and framing style to make his work a part of your space.
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