Art Tourism

Art, History & Culture | Art Tourism Warsaw’s Most Exciting Art Spaces

Warsaw is the centre of Poland’s contemporary art scene and home to countless pieces of priceless art. While Kraków’s collections skew more historical, Warsaw boasts a great variety of exhibits showcasing younger artists as well as the nation’s masters. When it comes to art tourism, temporary exhibits are often as or more important than permanent collections, so check the current exhibitions on p.58.

1 Zachęta National Gallery of Art Unmissable. One of the leading art galleries in Poland, with a focus on the contemporary. Ask the locals what to do in Warsaw - they’ll send you here. QSee p.62.

2 Warsaw National Museum Polish and European masters, Polish design, ancient African art and 5 decades of painting can all be found inside the exhibits of this stately museum. QSee p.62.

3 Museum on the Vistula Warsaw’s MoMA, right on the riverside in an eye-catching pavilion. Inside are provocative contemporary art exhibits by international artists. QSee p.47.

Murals & Street Art

What about art in public spaces? Poland has a long, lauded tradition of graphic art, with Polish print advertising and poster design known internationally for their high artistic quality. With such a knack for graphics, it stands to reason that Poles would have a penchant for street art as well. And they do. In Warsaw both graffiti art and largescale murals are a common sight, with the city and private businesses even inviting international artists to do installations. You’ll find a particularly high volume of murals on buildings in Praga, Wola and around the City Centre, where the urban landscape is changing most rapidly. Although it’s a dynamic situation, as many murals are installed on buildings that later become designated for demolition, at WIYP we keep a close eye on murals and urban art, marking major works on all of our maps; just look for the spray can icon . Not only that, but we’ve meticulously put it all online with exact GPS coordinates, so that your smartphone can do the work of leading you directly to Warsaw’s alternative artistic visions.

4 Ujazdowski Castle Contemporary art in a rebuilt palace. One of PL’s most prestigious and provocative art centres, with an extensive program of exhibits, performances, film screenings and more.QSee p.62.

5 Neon Museum A small, but brilliantly illuminating and highly photogenic museum, displaying hundreds of historical neon signs from Warsaw’s past.QSee p.55.

6 BUW Gallery Located in the Warsaw University Library, this gallery (and shop) showcases vintage and contemporary graphics by artists of the famous Polish Poster School. Very cool.QG-5, ul. Dobra 55/56, MRatusz Arsenał, www.polishpostergallery.com

Ukraine. Under a Different Sky | Photo: Daniel Czarnocki

Temporary Exhibits

It’s not uncommon for some temporary exhibits to be major events, even overshadowing the permanent collections of local museums. Of the literal hundreds of art events across Warsaw, here are a few picks for the coming months. For more, as well as other events in the capital, head to our website.

20.10 - 19.02 » Gloss, Matte, Colour. Photography & Warsaw in the 1990s

With colours of Western consumerism clashing with its dilapidated post-communist landscape, this view of 1990s Warsaw is presented by a huge collection of images from noted international photographers, local journalists and documentary filmmakers, as well as amateur photography contributed by private citizens. QF-4, Museum of Warsaw, Rynek Starego Miasta 28-42, www.muzeumwarszawy.pl. Open 09:00-17:00, Thu 09:0019:00, Sat, 11:00-19:00, Sun 11:00-17:00; closed Mon. Admission 12/7zł; all exhibits 25/18zł; Thu free.

18.11 - 05.03 » Solstice. Nordic Painting 1880–1910

Over 100 works produced between 1880 and 1910 by some of the greatest artists of Scandinavia, focusing on its typical themes - nature's impact on human life, national myths and legends, metaphysical landscapes, and the inner self.QH-8, Warsaw National Museum, Al. Jerozolimskie 3, MNowy Świat-Uniwersytet, www.mnw. art.pl. Open 10:00-18:00, Fri 10:00-20:00. Admission 40/25zł. 04.11 - 12.02 » Ukraine. Under a Different Sky

Works by Ukrainian artists made in direct response to Russian aggression in the ongoing war in Ukraine. Working in various media and with a sense of obligation to communicate this issue around the world, the resulting works are confrontingQI-10, Ujazdowski Castle Centre for Contemporary Art, ul. Jazdów 2, MPolitechnika, www.u-jazdowski.pl. Open 11:00-18:00; Thu, Fri 12:00-20:00; Sat 10:00-19:00; closed Mon. Admission 10/5zł.

15.09 - 29.01 » We Didn’t Have a Lucky Star, We Lit Our Own. Warsaw Herstories

12 ‘herstories’ of Warsaw women who contributed to changes in Warsaw’s social, political and cultural life, including the first women-only bookbinding workshop, barrier-breaking athletes from the Polonia Warszawa football club, and the brave souls who hid Jews during the Holocaust.QF-4, Gallery Rynek 30, Rynek Starego Miasta 32, www.muzeumwarszawy.pl. Open 11:00-18:00; Thu, Say 11:00-20:00; closed Mon. Admission 1zł; Thu free.,