Explore the Vibrant Art Scene in Poland’s Capital: The 21st Warsaw Art Fair.

The art scene in Poland, much like its history, is dynamic and diverse. Political complexities serve not only as a backdrop for events in art history but also have a fundamental impact on the course of events and the significance of various artworks. The wars led to the growth of Polish avant-garde art, which emerged relatively late compared to Western countries and often had to operate covertly due to oppressive political regimes. Until the 1990s, control exerted by these regimes stifled cultural events that extended beyond the confines of socialist art, Furthermore, frequent border changes have devastated many cities, particularly Warsaw, leading to the destruction of numerous cultural centers. 

The challenging beginnings of the Polish art scene

Due to these historical contexts and conditions following the political transformation in 1989, the tradition of art fairs began much later compared to Western countries. Art Cologne, recognized as the first international art fair, began in 1967 and was quickly followed by Art Brussels in 1968 and Art Basel in 1970. Each of these fairs has been held annually since their inception. Art Basel, launched in 1970, generated significant excitement in the art world and helped define the format of leading art fairs globally. Other prominent, market-influencing art fairs include Frieze London (established in 2003), Art Basel Miami Beach (started in 2002), and FIAC in Paris (which has been held since 1974).

The first auction houses and private galleries were not established until the 1990s. Initially, the art fair took place in Cracow, but after a few years, it was moved to Warsaw. Then the first fair was held in November 2003 at the Rempex auction house, and the location changed several times in subsequent years. Ultimately, growing interest from exhibitors and potential customers led to the decision to hold the art fair at the EXPO XXI International Conference and Trade Fair Center, located at 12/14 Ignacy Pradzynski Street in Warsaw. This new, larger venue accommodates more exhibitors, offers additional side events, and creates a more comfortable atmosphere for visitors.

Glimpse into the art market in Poland 

The Warsaw Art Fair is a true celebration of art, offering visitors the chance to view and purchase works in various techniques, styles, and from different periods. This makes it an ideal opportunity for anyone looking to begin their journey in collecting, as the pieces showcased are some of the most current and sought-after on the market. The fair’s primary mission is education. Each year, numerous accompanying lectures are organized to enhance visitors’ knowledge, provide context for the displayed works, and allow them to meet educators and art historians from Poland. The program director of the WAF, Kama Zboralska, shared her thoughts about the Warsaw Art Fair: 

“The WAF is the only platform that brings together key figures in the art world and their audiences in one place. Our exhibition program provides a glimpse into the market, highlighting the most interesting works and identifying the key players and trends in contemporary art. It also reflects the thoughts and concerns of young people today. For artists, the fair is an excellent opportunity to connect with curators, art dealers, and even buyers directly.”

Kama Zboralska is an expert in the art market and has been the creator of the ‘Kompas Młodej Sztuki’ and ‘Kompas Sztuki’ rankings since 2007. She is an academic lecturer at the Faculty of Media Arts at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw and has authored several publications on art. 

“I have been involved in organizing the fair since its seventh edition, and I always emphasize that our primary mission is education and the promotion of art. The success we have achieved is due to the hard work and consistency of Piotr Lengiewicz, president of the Rempex auction house. Last year, we welcomed 11,000 visitors in less than three days, which demonstrates that more people are becoming interested in art and wishing to engage with it.” says Kama Zboralska.

Our exhibition program provides a glimpse into the market, highlighting the most interesting works and identifying the key players and trends in contemporary art. It also reflects the thoughts and concerns of young people today.

What can we expect in this year’s edition?

The fair will feature over 100 exhibitors showcasing both contemporary and ancient art. Attendees can look forward to meetings with artists, panel discussions, and three accompanying exhibitions.

The first exhibition, titled “Primal Instinct,” will highlight the works of Eugeniusz Markowski, an artist who deserves more recognition. The second exhibition, curated by Zofia Weiss, will explore three paths to the avant-garde through the artistic achievements of Wojciech Weiss, Józef Jarem, and Andrzej Fogtt. The third exhibition, “Juliusz Sokołowski: ‘Fangor’ of Polish Photography,” will showcase a collection from the Kantor Sztuki gallery.

A key highlight of the fair is a series of lectures on art and the art market, featuring prominent experts and artists such as Artur Zmijewski, Paweł Althamer, Iwona Demko, and Beata Czapska. This program is sure to satisfy both art collectors and a wider audience interested in culture.

“This year, we are preparing an exciting surprise for our guests. While I can’t reveal too much, I can share that we will showcase works by one of the most prominent Polish women artists. As usual, the exhibition will include pieces from the Polish avant-garde, particularly from artists active after 1945. Additionally, as in previous editions, there will be a strong presence of emerging painters such as Wiktor Galka, Michał Misiak, and Dawid Czyż. It’s important to note that the fair isn’t limited to painting alone. Our visitors are increasingly open to new media and have a broader perspective on art. Therefore, we will also have an antiquarian section, along with stands displaying works on paper, jewelry, crafts, posters, and ceramics. There will truly be something for everyone.” says Kama Zboralska.

From the role of artificial intelligence in art, debates about collecting arts to talks of the curators

The fair’s program consistently features key events from the art world that have taken place throughout the year. This year, we are hosting a meeting with several prominent figures: Marta Czyż, the curator of the Polish Pavilion at the Venice Biennale; Natalia Bradbury, who is organizing the Polish Pavilion exhibition at the Malta Biennale in 2024; and Anna Muszyńska, who curated the exhibition “In the First Person,” showcasing work by Andrzej Wróblewski during the Venice Art Biennale. 

The long-anticipated opening of the new building of the Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw took place at the end of October, and a debate on the institution’s new challenges will be held in conjunction with this event. Additionally, Dr. Leszek Bukowski, a specialist in natural language processing, will lead a discussion on the role of artificial intelligence in art, exploring both its significant benefits and potential risks.

The fairs will also cater to collectors, featuring a panel with the authors of two popular books released this year: “Collection – It’s Easier to Start than Finish: Collector’s Dilemmas” and “Artistic Collections of the Strzałecki Family.”

The WAF program evolves each year, offering exciting new surprises. While we can’t share all the details just yet, visitors can look forward to a variety of attractions, including both art-related experiences and others. Unlike traditional museums, the fair promotes an atmosphere of inclusivity, making it accessible to everyone, from experts and connoisseurs to those just starting their journey into the world of art. It’s an experience worth being a part of.

Contemporary Lynx is media partner of Warszawskie Targi Sztuki.

The 21^st edition of Warsaw Art Fair (WAF) will take place on November 23-24 2024, featuring a reach programme; meetings with artists and curators, three group exhibitions, all hosted in a new, larger exhibition EXPO XXI, 12/14 Prądzyńskiego Street 01-222 Warsaw, Poland.

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This article was sponsored by Warszawskie Targi Sztuki.