14 June - 12 October 2025
An exhibition of works by the Gruppa collective opens in the Spectra Art Space in Warsaw. The collective operated in the years 1982—1992 and during this time became one of the key artistic formations of the Polish art scene of the 1980s. Exposition “GRUPPA. Who wanted to know everything, will not see anything “will present images of all the members of the Gruppa from the period of activity in the formation. This is a unique opportunity to see them live, gathered in one place - not to be missed! “GRUPPA — one of the most charismatic and expressive artistic formations of the 1980s in Poland, and more broadly in Central and Eastern Europe. Ryszard Grzyb, Paweł Kowalewski, Jarosław Modzelewski, Włodzimierz Pawlak, Marek Sobczyk and Ryszard Woźniak are painters who, in a historical moment of political tension and social uncertainty, evoked a language of expression, creating an excruciatingly honest and audacious reaction to the reality of martial law, national marasmus and capitulation civil courage. Its members rebelled against the aesthetics of minimalism, proposing paintings that were violent, emotional, saturated with color, irony and grotesque, and at the same time expanded their activities to performative forms of expression — readings of manifestos, demonstrations, improvised happenings. Their images are visual manifestos — in the spirit of 'personal art' but at the same time remaining deeply immersed in the social context and experience of their peers.” - we read in the description of the exhibition. Against the background of the gray PRL, Gruppa's paintings, full of colors, seemed to scream with color. Their expressive, provocatively redrawn and grotesque style of painting grew out of rebellion in view of the reality of the state of war and the need to recover from the difficult political situation. They felt reality as absurd and grotesque, time devoid of true values, and freedom manifested in their works as anarchy, poisonous provocation, bitter irony. Their painting had a truly spectacular and unique character. However as well as the characters of its members, distinct artistic individualities and very strong personalities, Gruppa's work was very diverse, full of contrasts. The works shown come from the collection of the Starak Family Foundation, built over decades. Spectra Art Space exhibition space dedicated to contemporary art, which was created on the initiative of the Starak Family Foundation in the Spectra building at 6 Bobrowiecka Street, in Warsaw. It presents the works of the most important Polish artists. Exhibition “GRUPPA. Who wanted to know everything, will not see anything” at Spectra Art Space will be open from Saturday, June 14 and will last until October 12, 2025. It can be viewed daily, from 10:00 to 18:00 (and on Wednesdays longer - until 20.00). Admission is free!
3 April — 26 July 2025
Paweł Kowalewski. Eyes wide closed
“Eyes wide closed” is the title of the exhibition of paintings by Paweł Kowalewski, prepared by the AtaK Gallery in the capital. The exhibition presents nearly twenty large paintings by the artist from 2019-2025, originating from the post-conceptual tradition. The canvases are accompanied by extensive literary comments, which are announced by the poetically formulated titles of the works. Already at the threshold of his career, Paweł Kowalewski gained notoriety and quickly built his status as a classic. In the early eighties of the twentieth century, as a twenty-something, he became co-founder and one of the intellectual leaders of the legendary collective of painters GRUPPA (1982—1992). Their activities and exhibitions, both before and during the state of war, were eagerly awaited and vividly commented upon events. Brutal, somewhat brutally painted, they were groundbreaking for Polish art. Paweł Kowalewski is an eternal rebel. He does not easily agree with reality, for more than forty years he has been closely observing and critically commenting on the world around him. One cannot be fooled by fleeting imaginations, transient fashions and prevailing interpretations. He is deeply preoccupied with the past and present and how they affect our future. As an artist, a man, a humanist, and at the same time an unconventional entrepreneur, patron and benefactor, he travels across many continents and cultures. The result is diverse, interdisciplinary and universal works. The exhibition is accompanied by a catalogue in Polish, English and German.
April 11, 2025
On the weekend of March, in the palace in Królikarnia — Branch of the National Museum, a unique Co-Creation Action took place organized by the Razem z Dwaga Foundation in cooperation with the Museum and a group of selected artists: Tymek Borowski, Przemek Dzienis, Magda Komar, Paweł Kowalewski, Agnieszka Mastalerz and Karolina Wiktor, who together Together with the children participating in the project, they created extraordinary works of art. The resulting works will be put up for charity auction at DESA Unicum. The unique concept of the two artists participating in the event, representing different generations, sensitivities and creative methods and experiences — Agnieszka Mastalerz and Paweł Kowalewski — consisted in inviting not only young participants of the action, but also artificial intelligence to co-create works. One of the most classic motifs in the history of art was taken for the workshop — still life. The participants of the workshops interpreted it in several ways, taking under the magnifying glass, among others the detail of the composition of flowers, vegetables and fruits, but also its texture, smell and even sounds! However, what will be the next step in the project will be far from the classical history and methods of painting. Artificial intelligence will process the results of the workshops, and the result will be images created by it — unique in their kind, arising from the fantasy and sensitivity of the originators, mature creators, and children, not yet formed by any art education. The imagination of the participants was additionally triggered by the aura of the first calendar days of spring and nature awakening to life after the long months of winter. Can a soulless machine be taught sensitivity? Can she be taught to read and perhaps even use the language of artists, for which this sensitivity is a key element? Mastalerz and Kowalewski tried to answer such questions by undertaking this artistic experiment. What will be its results? It will be possible to find out about this very soon. As a result of the project, six works will be created, unique prints in 70 x 70 centimeters formats — all (and much more!) You can see it at the pre-auction exhibition in the palace in Królikarnia. The vernissage will take place on Wednesday 26 March at 19.00. We invite you to the auction at DESA Unicum Auction House on April 11 at 19.00.