Polish Art Scene: From Warsaw to Bialystok, a New Generation Emerges
International acclaim has been achieved by the Polish art community, with figures such as Artur Zmijewski (Documenta, Venice Biennale 2005) and Monika Sosnowska (2007 Venice pavilion) at the forefront of a movement that includes Miroslaw Balka and Zbigniew Libera, originating from the 1960s and 1970s. Significant venues include the Foksal Gallery, established in 1966 by Tadeusz Kantor, Henryk Stazewski, and Edward Krasinski, which has since evolved into the commercial Foundation Foksal. Joanna Rajkowska's installation of a palm tree pays tribute to the Jewish heritage of Warsaw. The new Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw, designed by Christian Kerez and led by Joanna Mytkowska, is expected to open in 2012 with a budget of €500,000 for acquisitions. The Ujazdowski Castle Centre for Contemporary Art presents 60 exhibitions annually, while the Arsenal Gallery in Bialystok showcases artists like Dorota Nieznalska.
Key facts
- Artur Zmijewski gained international recognition at Documenta and Venice Biennale 2005.
- Monika Sosnowska's 2007 Venice pavilion installation was widely acclaimed.
- The Foksal Gallery was founded in 1966 by Tadeusz Kantor, Henryk Stazewski, and Edward Krasinski.
- Foundation Foksal is the leading commercial gallery in Poland, representing top Polish artists and Yael Bartana.
- The new Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw, designed by Christian Kerez, opens in 2012 with a €500,000 annual acquisition budget.
- Joanna Mytkowska directs the new museum and curated 'Les Inquiets' at Centre Pompidou.
- The Arsenal Gallery in Bialystok has an enviable collection including works by Dorota Nieznalska, Marcin Maciejowski, and Laura Pawela.
- Alexandre Périgot's 'Polka Palace' installation was shown at Arsenal Gallery in a former power plant.
Entities
Artists
- Artur Zmijewski
- Monika Sosnowska
- Miroslaw Balka
- Zbigniew Libera
- Tadeusz Kantor
- Henryk Stazewski
- Edward Krasinski
- Christian Boltanski
- Piotr Uklanski
- Pawel Althamer
- Wilhelm Sasnal
- Yael Bartana
- Joanna Rajkowska
- Joanna Mytkowska
- Christian Kerez
- Dorota Nieznalska
- Marcin Maciejowski
- Laura Pawela
- Alexandre Périgot
- Cezary Bodzianowski
- Paulina Olowska
- Catherine Francblin
Institutions
- Nova Polska
- Documenta
- Venice Biennale
- Museum of Lodz
- Foksal Gallery
- Foundation Foksal
- Centre Pompidou
- Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw
- Tate Modern
- National Gallery Zacheta
- Ujazdowski Castle Centre for Contemporary Art
- Arsenal Gallery
- Raster Gallery
Locations
- Paris
- France
- Venice
- Italy
- Lodz
- Poland
- Warsaw
- Bialystok
- Berlin
- Germany
- London
- United Kingdom
Sources
- artpress —