Venice Biennale collateral show reunites Polish avant-garde figures Kantor and Jarema
An exhibition at the 2026 Venice Biennale brings together Tadeusz Kantor and Maria Jarema, pivotal figures of the Polish avant-garde, nearly 70 years after their initial presentation in Venice. Entitled 'Tadeusz Kantor (1915-1990) Emballage Cricotage and Madame Jarema,' the display is open until 22 November at the Procuratie Vecchie. Organized by the Starak Family Foundation, it showcases over 60 works from Kantor's oeuvre, including significant paintings and theatrical props. A notable feature is a dedicated room for 'The Dead Class' (1975). Jarema, who participated in the 1958 Venice Biennale, is recognized as essential to Kantor's artistic evolution, with nine of her monotypes and reconstructed costumes included. Both artists established the Cricot 2 theatre group in 1955.
Key facts
- Collateral exhibition at 2026 Venice Biennale reunites Tadeusz Kantor and Maria Jarema.
- Exhibition runs until 22 November at Procuratie Vecchie, St Mark's Square.
- Organized by Warsaw-based Starak Family Foundation.
- Over 60 works on display, including Kantor's 'The Dead Class' (1975) room.
- Curator Ania Muszyńska highlights Kantor's foundational role in Polish avant-garde.
- Jarema exhibited at 1958 Venice Biennale; died same year at age 49.
- Jarema's work includes nine monotypes and reconstructed costumes.
- Jarema currently has a show at Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw.
Entities
Artists
- Tadeusz Kantor
- Maria Jarema
- Ania Muszyńska
Institutions
- Starak Family Foundation
- Cricot 2
- Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw
- Galerie Kaléidoscope
- Tadeusz Kantor Foundation
Locations
- Venice
- Poland
- Kraków
- Warsaw
- St Mark's Square
- Procuratie Vecchie