Kulov is an interdisciplinary artist whose work “operates at the intersection of performance, propaganda and activism.” Their political public art takes on the form of socially-conscious messages and visual commentaries, which through the use of various media in the public sphere are intended to provoke thought and create dialogue. Their performative actions, on the other hand, are mostly interactive and focus primarily on queer issues, especially when it comes to agency, access and financial power.

EDUCATION

CalArts Master of Arts in Aesthetics and Politics

GRANTS & FELLOWSHIPS

Artist Fellowship The Art Matters Foundation, New York (received twice)

Visual Arts Fellowship Illinois Arts Council, Chicago

Regional Artists Program (RAP) Grant National Endowment for the Arts/The Rockefeller Foundation/The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, administered by Randolph Street Gallery

Community Art Assistance Program (CAAP) Grant Department of Cultural Affairs, Chicago

New Forms Regional Grant National Endowment for the Arts/The Rockefeller Foundation, administered by Randolph Street Gallery

ARTIST'S BOOK PROJECTS

The East, The West and The Restless by Malgorzata Romanska; digital, hardcover and limited edition (6 + 2 AP) versions; 2022

Kulov 90/15: Twenty-Five Years of Political Public Art and Performances; digital, hardcover and limited edition (12 + 3 AP) versions; 2018

Kulov 90/00: A Decade of Transformation; limited edition (12 + 3 AP), 2001

MUSEUM ARTIST'S BOOK COLLECTIONS

Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Kulov 90/00: A Decade of Transformation; limited edition of 12 + 3 AP, artist’s book collection (AP01), Chicago, U.S.A.

Stedelijk Museum Kulov 90/00: A Decade of Transformation; limited edition of 12 + 3 AP, artist’s book collection (AP02), Amsterdam, Netherlands

PUBLIC ART PROJECTS & ACTIVIST CAMPAIGNS

The Equality Series, visual commentaries in the form of public service messages encouraging people to vote through mass mailings, as well as through photographic prints benefiting the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU); 2020/2021

BANd Together!, visual-commentary campaign, which takes the 1993 Hey Sailor! / Lift The Ban! campaign as an inspiration, but brings attention to the ban on transgender soldiers in the U.S. military, imposed by the Trump administration; 2019/2020

Quotes Project '92, re-presenting of the 1992 project at Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions (LACE) prior to the 2018 U.S. mid-term elections; projection at the gallery's front entrance, plus postcard distribution throughout the city of Los Angeles; 2018

Knowledge Is Power, subscription campaign by Malgorzata Romanska for Modern Painters magazine; full- and half-page advertisements in various issues of the magazine, as well as online; 2,500 postcards distributed at art fairs internationally; 2010/2011

Philanthropy as Performance Art, corporate sponsorship by Malgorzata Romanska and MRIndustries of Volta; full page advertising in the art fair’s catalog; Basel, Switzerland; 2008

Philanthropy as Performance Art: PULSE Prize New York, presentation of the prize for best emerging artist at the PULSE art fair by Malgorzata Romanska and MRIndustries; full-page corporate sponsor advertisement in the fair’s catalog; 1,000 postcards distributed at the fair; New York, U.S.A.; 2008

Philanthropy as Performance Art, sponsorship campaign by Malgorzata Romanska and MRIndustries for Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions’ (LACE) Annual Fundraising Auction; full page advertisement in Artillery magazine, May/June issue; 2,500 postcards distributed at various art venues in Los Angeles, U.S.A.; 2008

Philanthropy as Performance Art, corporate sponsorship by Malgorzata Romanska and MRIndustries of Aqua Art Miami; full page advertisements in the art fair’s various catalogs, as well as online presence; Miami, U.S.A.; 2007/08/10

Until I Open My Mouth, visual-commentary campaign focusing on sexism within queer male subculture; ZOO magazine, Paris, France, distributed during the Gay Pride Parade; Gab magazine, Chicago, U.S.A., distributed during Pride Week/International Male Leather Convention; 1996/97

Did They Tell You They Were Lying, by the Way, When They Said that..., mail art project commenting on the commercialization of symbols in popular culture; 2,500 pieces mailed and distributed nationally; 1995

Separation of Church and State, visual-commentary campaign challenging prayer in public schools; Babble magazine; 1994

Hey Sailor! / Lift the Ban!, visual-commentary campaign aimed at educating the gay community to distinguish between support of lifting the ban on lesbians and gay men in the military and support of the military as an institution; Babble magazine; 1993

Day Without Art, visual commentary challenging William Dannemeyer’s attitude toward people with HIV; Gag magazine; 1992

Quotes Project, public service ads encouraging artists to participate in the election process; Chicago Artists’ News and P-Form magazine; 1992

This Will Not Stand (Can Bush in 92), national campaign evaluating the presidency of George Bush; public service ads in USA Today, Chicago Reader and Windy City Times; 1992

It Is Finished, visual commentary on self-censorship from a feminist perspective, P-Form magazine; 1992

One of These Things Is Just Like the Others..., 14 x 48 feet outdoor billboard exploring subjects of mass appeal in a patriarchal society; Chicago, U.S.A.; 1992

Gender S(e)izing, visual commentary on size and gender; P-Form magazine; 1991

Jeff Koons, visual commentary on sexism in contemporary art; P-Form magazine; 1991

Rhythm Revisited, mail art project challenging the Catholic Church’s stand on AIDS education; 7,000 pieces mailed and distributed internationally; 1991

Persian Gulf War, anti-war campaign; public service ads in Chicago Reader and The Village Voice; 1991

George’s & Barbara’s Bush, mail art project challenging the president’s drug war policies; 7,000 pieces mailed and distributed internationally; 1990

Freedom of Expression, campaign in response to the NEA’s controversy over Robert Mapplethorpe’s traveling retrospective exhibition; public service ads in Chicago Reader and Windy City Times; 1990

PUBLIC PERFORMANCES & ACTIONS

Malgorzata Romanska, interactive performance at the Art Los Angeles Contemporary fair; Los Angeles, U.S.A.; 2012

Malgorzata Romanska, interactive performances at the Art Basel and Aqua Hotel art fairs; Miami, U.S.A.; 2010

Malgorzata Romanska, interactive performance at the Art LA VIP Preview — a benefit for the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA); Los Angeles, U.S.A.; 2009

Malgorzata Romanska, interactive performances at the The Armory Show, PULSE and Volta art fairs, as well as at Deitch Projects; New York, U.S.A.; 2008

Malgorzata Romanska, interactive performances at the Art Basel, Aqua Hotel, Aqua Wynwood, PULSE, NADA and Photo Miami art fairs; Miami, U.S.A.; 2007/08

Malgorzata Romanska, interactive performances at the Preview and Art Forum art fairs, Berlin, Germany; Frieze, PULSE, Year 07 and Zoo art fairs, London, United Kingdom; 2007

Malgorzata Romanska, interactive performance at the Fresh fundraising auction; Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), Los Angeles, U.S.A.; 2007

Malgorzata Romanska, interactive performances at the Annual Fundraising Auction; Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions (LACE), Los Angeles, U.S.A.; 2005/06/07/08

MCA Summer Solstice Ritual, performance as the radical faeries; Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, U.S.A.; 1997

Faerie Frolics, ambient performance events about gender; Hyde Park Art Center, Unicorn Club, Big Chicks, Chicago, U.S.A.; 1997

Faeries to the Rescue, performance art mini-circus — a benefit for Randolph Street Gallery; Chicago, U.S.A.; 1997

She (her/hers), performance campaign challenging sexism; The Lucky Platter, Big Chicks, Chicago, U.S.A.; 1997

F, ritualistic performance/installation about identity; Terschelling, The Netherlands; Randolph Street Gallery, Chicago, U.S.A.; 1996/97

Housewife/Working Mother/Gender Warrior, business-card/guerrilla performances dealing with queer gender politics; Chicago, U.S.A., London, UK, and Amsterdam, Netherlands; 1996/97

GenderFuck Aerobics, Circus Nervosa — a benefit for P-Form magazine; Randolph Street Gallery, Chicago, U.S.A.; 1996

A Broad Abroad, stage performances focusing on gender and political correctness; Circus Nervosa at Randolph Street Gallery and Night of 1,000 Chakas at Crobar, Chicago, U.S.A.; 1996

Chief Curator, business-card/guerrilla performance about gender and curatorial power; Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony, Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, U.S.A.; 1996

D is for Diva, visual performances about gender; Kozuch Gallery, Chicago, U.S.A.; 1995

Hey Sailor!, distribution of propaganda materials by a group of fifteen persons, clad in military gear; Gay Pride Parade, Chicago, U.S.A. (continuation of the aforementioned visual campaign); 1993

This Will Not Stand (Can Bush in 92), broccoli-serving extravaganza, Perfectly Haunted Circus — a benefit for P-Form magazine; Randolph Street Gallery, Chicago, U.S.A. (continuation of the aforementioned visual campaign); 1992

Virtual America, spam-carving contest, Virtual Circus — a benefit for P-Form magazine; Randolph Street Gallery, Chicago, U.S.A.; 1992

EXHIBITIONS & FUNDRAISING AUCTIONS

Postcards from the Edge, a benefit for Visual AIDS; January 19 – 21, Berry Campbell Gallery + Online, New York; 2024

25th Anniversary Postcards from the Edge, a benefit for Visual AIDS; January 5 – 8, Ortuzar Projects + Online, New York; 2023

Virtual Postcards from the Edge, a benefit for Visual AIDS; January 9 – 15 / January 8 – 14 respectively, Online; 2021/22

Postcards from the Edge, a benefit for Visual AIDS; January 3 – 5, Bortolami Gallery, New York; 2020

Bookmarks 3, fundraising auction for Whitewalls magazine; NIU Gallery, Chicago, U.S.A., 1994

Eternity, Obsession, Escape, exhibition exploring religious symbols in popular culture; Kozuch Gallery, Chicago, U.S.A.; 1994

Transforming Our World, Ourselves, Peace by Peace, fundraising auction for The Peace Museum; Chicago, U.S.A.; 1994

A Blue Note Valentine, fundraising auction for N.A.M.E. Gallery; Chicago, U.S.A.; 1994

Real Small (Little Things), traveling exhibition curated by Hamza Walker; Art In General, New York; Delta Axis Contemporary Art Center, Memphis; Randolph Street Gallery, Chicago, U.S.A.; 1993/94

Us. Now. Why?, exhibition in conjunction with Day Without Art; Kozuch Gallery, Chicago, U.S.A.; 1993/94

Bi-State Annual Exhibition; Davenport Museum of Art, Iowa, U.S.A.; 1993

Work in Progress in All Dimensions; Kozuch Gallery, Chicago, U.S.A.; 1993

New Art ’93, fundraising auction for the Museum of Contemporary Art; Chicago, U.S.A.; 1993

Post-Election Exhibition & Auction; The Peace Museum, Chicago, U.S.A.; 1992

Re-Imagining America, forum exhibition on democracy; Randolph Street Gallery, Chicago, U.S.A.; 1992

Photo Mail-Art ‘92; New Image Gallery, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia, U.S.A.; 1992

Second Annual Queer Art Exhibition; Beret International Gallery, Chicago, U.S.A.; 1992

Linda (out of context), retrospective installation; A. Montgomery Ward Gallery, University of Illinois at Chicago, U.S.A.; 1991

A Response to War; Artemisia Gallery, Chicago, U.S.A.; 1991

PUBLISHED TEXTS & ESSAYS

Tzim-Tzum or the End of En(light-en)ment; The Game of the Real: Art and the Knowledge Project, CalArts School of Critical Studies, vol. 1, Spring 2021 (print and online); 2022

The Post-Postmodern Condition; Open Assembly: Experiments in Aesthetics and Politics, CalArts School of Critical Studies (open-assembly.calarts.edu), photos; 2022

Intergalactix: Building a United Federation of Planets… Curatorially; Open Assembly: Experiments in Aesthetics and Politics, CalArts School of Critical Studies (open-assembly.calarts.edu), photos; 2021

East, West and the Restless (as Malgorzata Romanska); Artillery magazine, July/August issue (as well as online), photos; 2010

Revelry Revisited, a two-part travelogue; Artillery magazine online, January/February issue, photos; 2010

A Broad Abroad; Gab magazine, issue no. 25, photos; 1996

Partner, I’m Home; Babble magazine, issue no. 3, photo; 1995

A Story from the Edge; Whitewalls magazine, “A Wretch Like Me” Fall/Winter issue, photo; 1994

PRESS & INTERVIEWS

LA Weekly, Meet an Artist Monday: Kulov (an interview) by Shana Nys Dambrot (quoted in CV intro above); November 2, 2020; photos

LA Weekly, Kulov’s New Book Celebrates 25 Years of Progressive Agitprop by Shana Nys Dambrot; November 9, 2018; photos

Art Info, Miami Roundup; December 29, 2008; photos

Miami Art Zine, Art Basel Miami Beach; December 3, 2008; photo

Edelweiss, C’est trop de la Bâle by Sophie Iselin, coverage of the art fairs in Basel, Switzerland; July 5, 2008; photo

Hollywood Today, LACE 30th Anniversary a Milestone in Women’s Performance Art by Karen Ostlund; May 23, 2008

Artipedia Art News, PULSE New York Wrap Up; April 15, 2008

E-Flux, PULSE New York; April 14, 2008

Artforum, Show and Tell, “perhaps the best performance art piece in a decade... if it is one;” March 31, 2008

AWOL (Art Without Limits), Check My PULSE in a Couple of Hours by Ezrha Jean Black; March 30, 2008

Art Review, New York Art Fairs, March 27, 2008; photo

Le Mag: Art & You, Best of Frieze by Raina Lampkins-Fielder, December 15, 2007; photo

abLA, Malgorzata Romanska in LA by Caryn Coleman; June 22, 2006; photos

Art Matters: How The Culture Wars Changed America, New York University Press, 1999; grant recipient mention, photo of Separation of Church and State campaign, page 267

New City, article on the Did They Tell You They Were Lying, by the Way, When... project; April 20, 1995 issue; photo

NCFE Bulletin, write-up on the Separation of Church and State campaign; Free Expression Briefs, Fall '94/Winter '95 issue

New Art Examiner, review of Eternity, Obsession, Escape; Summer 1994 issue

Crain’s Chicago Business, follow up on the Can Bush in 92 campaign with a coverage of the lawsuit threat by Bush Brothers & Co., a Tennessee-based manufacturer of canned goods; January 4 – 10, 1993 issue

Project X, feature article; issue no. 23, 1992; photos

Chicago Artists’ News, coverage of the Can Bush in 92 campaign; December 1992 issue; photo

Chicago Reader, mention in the review of MCA’s Art at the Armory; October 9, 1992 issue

Art Muscle, review of the Can Bush in 92 campaign; October/November 1992 issue; photo

Dialogue, Can Bush in 92 to the editors; September/October 1992 issue; photo

New City, feature article; September 16, 1992 issue; photo

Crain’s Chicago Business, coverage of the Can Bush in 92 campaign; August 31 – September 6, 1992 issue; photo

Windy City Times, coverage of the Can Bush in 92 campaign; August 27, 1992 issue; photo

High Performance, coverage of the outdoor billboard project; Summer/Fall 1992 issue; photo

The Progressive, coverage of the outdoor billboard project; July 1992 issue; photo

Chicago Artists’ News, coverage of the outdoor billboard project; June 1992 issue; photo

WBEZ Chicago Public Radio, interview focusing on the outdoor billboard project; Artistic License, May 23, 1992 show

Windy City Times, coverage of the outdoor billboard project; May 14, 1992 issue; photo

Chicago Tribune, coverage of the outdoor billboard project; April 29, 1992 issue; photo

The Advocate, feature in Dossier; January 14, 1992 issue; photo

Windy City Times, feature article on Linda (out of context); September 5, 1991 issue; photos