Maciej Dakowicz

Biography

Maciej Dakowicz was born in Bialystok, Poland in 1976. He is a photographer and gallerist now living in Cardiff, Wales. After graduating in 2000 with a Masters in Computer Science in Poland, he moved to Hong Kong to work as a researcher and programmer. In 2004 he took up a research position at Cardiff University and commenced a Doctorate in computing. Since January 2009 he has been working as a photographer, whilst completing his studies. In February 2010, together with Joni Karanka, Maciej opened Third Floor Gallery in Cardiff; now one of the leading photography galleries in the UK.

Maciej has worked on various projects - in Europe, Asia and Africa. His interests are social issues, humanitarian aid and development, but most of all travel and street photography. Maciej's work has been widely published around the world and he is a recipient of numerous awards. Recently profiled in the book Street Photography Now, Maciej shares his experience by running photography trips for small groups of participants to various locations in Asia and Africa. Maciej is a member of the wideangle photo agency.

For more information, visit Maciej Dakowicz's website here

Artist Statement

St Mary Street is one of the main streets in central Cardiff, the capital city of Wales; a city as any other in the UK. Unassuming during the day, on weekend nights it becomes the main scene of the city night life, fuelled by alcohol and emotions. Some of Cardiff's most popular clubs and pubs are located there or in its vicinity. The very popular Chippy Lane, with its numerous chip and kebab shops, is just a stone's throw away. Sooner or later most party-goers end up in that area, whether looking for another drink, some food or in search of another dance floor.

Everything takes place in this public arena - from drinking, fighting, kissing to crying and sleeping. Supermen chat up Playboy Bunnies, somebody lies on the pavement taking a nap, the hungry ones finish their portions of chips and the policemen stop another argument before it turns into a fight. Nobody seems to worry about tomorrow, what matters is here and now, punctuated by another week at work, until the next weekend rolls around again.