Duration of residency and exhibition: 9 May – 22 May 2025
Opening: 9th May, 7 pm
You are cordially invited!
Marta Janik, collage artist and master of scissors, who loves to weave paper stories that are full of references to literature and art, will soon be taking over the space of the Środek gallery at the famous Bazar Różycki for a fortnight. Her work is a journey through many worlds, and cutting out for the artist, as she herself says, is an archaeology of memory: bringing forgotten illustrations to life again. What does Marta save from oblivion, what does she cut out, what is her guiding principle? This is what she will talk about during the gallery meetings and workshops.
In her career, Marta Janik has created illustrations for the Museum of Caricature, ‘Przekrój’ (her collage “God” adorns the cover of the yearbook), ‘Kolaj’ Magazine, the Słowacki Theatre in Krakow, the Jagiellonian University, the City of Warsaw, the Polish Book Chamber and even for a certain Disco Polo star.
The artist will show her hand-cut Warsaws, yes – Warsaws, no – Warsaw, because Marta has more than one Warsaw in her heart. We will see paper versions of the city, where the Palace of Culture neighbours whales and Baba with a fish flies over the Vistula River. These are cities made of paper, literary inspirations, memories, dreams and contrasts – each created with extraordinary precision and artistic sensitivity.
In the exhibition you will see:
– original, hand-cut collages
– Mushroom People, monkeys, bugs, a huge wall installation – a collage
– Baba with a fish, the artist’s famous graphic that has won the hearts of people all over the world, fans tattooing it on their calves, forearms and… bellies
– bits of the cosmos, called gadgets or souvenirs
But that’s not all. Marta will not only hang her works on the walls – she will almost live with them in the gallery. For the entire two weeks, it will be possible to meet the artist, take part in workshops, spontaneous conversations and unexpected events.
Marta will also turn into a trader (the neighbourhood of the bazaar obliges). At her stall, right in the middle, you will find jackets, T-shirts, ties, panties (yes, panties) and other textiles with collage motifs upcycled by the artist. And with Baba with a fish.
This is no ordinary exhibition. It is an opportunity for an adventure full of surprises and fun.
Accompanying events:
9 May 2025 – Opening of the exhibition ‘It’s meant to be an adventure’
10 May 2025 – World Collage Day – collage workshop with Maria Filek and Marta Janik ‘Less more’:
11 May 2025 – New Różycki Bazaar: Garażówka – on this day Marta shows her collages, but above all she trades
17 May 2025 – Long Night of the Museums – this one cannot even be described – the programme includes a guided tour of the exhibition, an animation show and dances
Ahoj przygodo! Because life is an adventure! Keep your fingers crossed for favourable winds!
WAW4FREE is a media patron of the event.
The middle is an art gallery, a shop full of curiosities and an event venue open to visitors. A little Berlin, a little Soho, a little fun in Praga Północ, right next to Nowy Bazar Różycki in Warsaw.
