Review of Barbara Kwiatkowska-Tybulewicz’s scholarly monograph Wychowawcze aspekty sztuki współczesnej. Z perspektywy pedagogiki krytycznej, Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego, Warszawa 2016

Abstract

This article is a review of Barbara Kwiatkowska-Tybulewicz’s academic monograph entitled
„Educational aspects of contemporary art. From the perspective of critical pedagogy” (University
of Warsaw Press, Warsaw 2016). This publication makes a significant contribution to the develop-
ment of research on aesthetic education and the relationship between contemporary art and ped-
agogy.
The author attempts to show how art can fulfill an educational function, becoming a tool for
critically examining reality. She also emphasizes its importance in the process of shaping sensitiv-
ity, tolerance, openness to diversity, and the ability to reflect and think critically. Analyzing the
works of Polish artists created after 1989 from the perspective of critical pedagogy, Kwiatkowska-
Tybulewicz focuses not only on their aesthetic dimension but, above all, on their educational po-
tential. She convincingly argues that contemporary art and pedagogy can co-create a space con-
ducive to the formation of a democratic society open to diversity.
The reviewer considers the monograph a significant and valuable work. Its original approach,
clear structure, and high level of content make it a publication worthy of a permanent place in the
21st-century reflection on the integration of contemporary art into the teaching process. The book
is addressed to educators, cultural researchers, and artists interested in the relationship between
art and education.