Gallery of Various Arts: A space for diverse artistic forms
- Damian Brzeski
- 3 hours ago
- 8 min read
What connects colorful landscapes on porcelain, black-and-white chronicles of Gdańsk, and jazz improvisations in the heart of Poznań?
The Gallery of Various Arts – a place that doesn't confine art to a framework, but opens it to encounters, emotions, and diversity. It's not just an exhibition space, but a living organism, where every detail has its own story.
The History and Mission of the Gallery of Various Arts
Before delving into specific works and names, it's worth understanding the origins of this extraordinary initiative. It's a story of passion that united two magnificent Polish cities.
The creation and development of the initiative in Gdańsk and Poznań
The history of the Gallery of Various Arts is a story of two cities and two different, yet connected by passion, initiatives.
In Gdańsk, a new gallery was born in 2016 from the joining of forces of two well-known artistic brands in the Tricity – painter Magda Beneda and photojournalist Maciej Kosycarz .
Their goal was to create a place unlike any other in Gdańsk – a space where colorful painting meets black and white historical photography .
In Poznań, at 50 Garbary Street, a new, unique space has been created for contemporary art lovers, connoisseurs and collectors.
The gallery in Poznań aims to promote artists from the city and surrounding area, being a friendly and open place for them.
Interestingly, this facility was created from a family inspiration – to support the owners’ son in his recovery and return to a normal life after a serious accident.
Co-founders: Magda Beneda and Maciej Kosycarz
The Gdańsk branch of the Gallery of Various Arts is the result of the friendship and shared vision of Magda Beneda and Maciej Kosycarz . Both grew up in Gdańsk's Śródmieście district, and their acquaintance dates back to their school days.
Maciej Kosycarz has long dreamed of creating a place in Gdańsk, modelled on Parisian or Roman galleries, where one could buy high-quality photographs of the city.
Magda Beneda , on the other hand, after the success of her open studio, needed a space purely for exhibitions. Their meeting and conversation over coffee resulted in the merging of these two worlds into one cohesive whole.
Maciej Kosycarz was the gallery's co-founder and its benefactor until his untimely death in 2020.
The idea of promoting artistic diversity
The primary mission of both galleries is to promote diversity. In Gdańsk, this manifests itself in the clash of two distinct visions of the city – the sunny, colorful Gdańsk of Magda Beneda and the historical, black-and-white portrait of the city preserved by the Kosycarz family.
In Poznań, this mission is realized through openness to various artistic forms and techniques. The gallery invites local artists and organizes group exhibitions , such as "Tygiel Art," where 16 artists present their diverse perspectives on the world. It's a veritable kaleidoscope of art from diverse artists.
Locations of the Miscellaneous Art Gallery
So where can you find these artistic gems? Both locations have their own unique character and are worth visiting.
Gallery of Various Arts in Gdańsk at 101 Ogarna Street
If you're strolling through Gdańsk's Main Town, be sure to wander down Ogarna Street. At number 101, you'll find a magical place where art and crafts create a unique atmosphere. Here, you can admire and purchase original photographs by the Kosycarz family, paintings by Magda Beneda , as well as unique textiles and porcelain. This is the heart of the Gdańsk section of the Gallery of Various Arts .
Gallery of Various Arts in Poznań at 50 Garbary Street
In the heart of Poznań, at 50 Garbary Street , lies the second gallery. This space was created to promote artists from Poznań and the Poznań region, offering them an ideal venue to showcase their work.
The gallery's opening was warmly received, and the facility itself regularly organizes exhibition openings and artistic events, becoming an important point on the city's cultural map .
History of the Kosycarz family: Chroniclers of Gdańsk
To fully understand the Gdańsk section of the Gallery of Various Arts , you need to go back in time and learn the story of an extraordinary family that has been documenting the life of the city for decades.
Zbigniew Kosycarz (1925-1995)
The story of the photographic soul of the Gdańsk gallery begins in 1945, when Zbigniew Kosycarz arrived in the ruined city. From the very first days, camera in hand, he created an invaluable chronicle of the reconstruction and daily life of Gdańsk and Pomerania.
As a photojournalist for newspapers such as Dziennik Bałtycki and Głos Wybrzeża, he earned the nickname "The Flying Reporter" because he appeared wherever something important was happening.
His photographs are not only a documentation of events, but above all a deeply humanistic record of the fate of ordinary people, which earned him the honorary title of Gdańsk Citizen of the Year 1972. Today, the most important Pomeranian press photography competition is named after him.
Maciej Kosycarz (1964-2020)
Maciej Kosycarz not only passionately continued his father's work but also nurtured his priceless legacy. In 1996, he founded Kosycarz Foto Press (KFP) , which quickly became the largest photography agency in northern Poland.
His greatest work, however, was the creation of the album series "Fot. Kosycarz. Extraordinary Ordinary Photos." The first volume, published in 2006, was intended as a one-off publication, but its enormous success launched a series that became a cultural phenomenon in Pomerania.
These albums, containing hundreds of previously unpublished photos, tell the history of the region through everyday life, fashion, work and forgotten places, becoming a collective family album for many residents.
Atelier Magda Beneda: Applied painting and porcelain
The second pillar of the Gdańsk gallery is the sun-drenched and colorful work of its co-founder. It's art that transcends the canvas into our everyday lives.
The artist's studio in Gdańsk
Magda Beneda , a graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk, is an artist whose work is bursting with color and focuses on the urban landscape of the Tricity area. Her first studio, "Atelier Magda Beneda," was established in 2013 on Szafarnia Street.
Inspired by the open studios in London and Berlin, she created a space where one could not only admire her work but also observe the creative process itself. In 2016, she moved her studio to Ogarna Street, co-founding the Gallery of Various Arts .
Painting on porcelain and artistic fabrics
It was in her studio that Magda Beneda developed the idea of transferring art to everyday objects. Her sunny, warm images of Gdańsk began to adorn high-quality porcelain, silk scarves, bags, and other objects.
The artist is guided by the philosophy that art should be close to our daily routine , which is why her applied painting combines a unique style with extraordinary functionality.
Artistic exhibitions and events
A gallery is not a dead museum. It is a living, breathing space where art meets people, and artists meet audiences.
Vernissages as a form of art presentation
Galleries in both cities are bustling with activity, regularly hosting exhibition openings , which provide an excellent opportunity to meet artists and their work. It's during these events that you can truly experience the atmosphere of these places and immerse yourself in the world of art from different generations and styles.
The exhibition "SHE" and curator Iwa Kruczkowska-Król
The opening of "She" at the Poznań gallery in February 2023 was a perfect example of this. This exhibition of paintings , photographs, and drawings was entirely devoted to women, often with bold, erotic depictions.
The curator of this event was Iwa Kruczkowska-Król, a graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków, who invited four artists to participate, including Sandra Metryka, Patrycja Fiegler and Sever Kruczkowski.
Tygiel Art – a collective exhibition of the Poznań Association of Creative Work
In April 2024, the Gallery of Various Arts in Poznań hosted the Poznań Association of Creative Work , organizing a collective exhibition "Tygiel Art".
In this artistic melting pot, 16 artists presented an exhibition of works inspired by a variety of themes and created using different techniques, showcasing the richness of the local art scene.
Jazz improvisations by the SZPIK band during exhibitions
The Poznań gallery is a space open not only to visual arts but also to music. In February 2023, the venue hosted a jazz concert by the band SZPIK. The group, playing free improvisation combining free jazz, noise, and ambient, created a psychedelic and bold atmosphere that perfectly complemented the exhibition of zero-waste collages presented at the time.
Artists associated with the Gallery of Various Arts
Many fantastic artists pass through the doors of the Gallery of Various Arts , both those with established positions and those who are just entering the art scene.
PACO GAL – Painting from Wrocław : While the gallery focuses on local artists, it also welcomes artists from other regions of Poland. Among them is PACO GAL, an artist whose works, such as "Carmin Rock" and "Out of Dark," are acrylic on canvas and appear at art auctions.
Katarzyna Seweryn "Przedziwna" – Zero Waste Collages : Katarzyna Przedziwna's exhibition opening certainly attracted fans of eco-friendly art. The Łódź-based artist works primarily through collage, guided by the zero-waste concept. In her hands, scraps, offcuts, and clippings are combined into new wholes, creating works that straddle the boundaries of figurative art and abstraction.
Maria Klimczak – Landscapes of Poznań : This artist's favorite subject is the fascinating corners of Poznań. She paints landscapes and architecture, telling stories about her beloved city through her paintings. Her painting exhibition is a sentimental journey through the streets of the capital of Greater Poland.
Zbigniew and Maciej Kosycarz – black-and-white photography and albums "Fot. Kosycarz" : It's impossible to talk about the Gdańsk gallery without mentioning its mainstay. The collection includes both historical photographs documenting life in Pomerania since 1945, as well as a renowned series of albums that constitute a unique chronicle of the region.
Presented artistic forms and styles
What exactly will you find when you enter the gallery? Prepare for a true feast for the senses.
Black and white and documentary photography : The Gdańsk gallery is dominated by photography that captures over 75 years of the region's history. These unique shots allow us to travel back in time and see how the Tricity has changed.
Artistic ceramics and printed fabrics : Thanks to Magda Beneda, the gallery offers a wide selection of applied art. Her original designs adorn porcelain, silk scarves, and bags, making them unique souvenirs or gifts.
Art Brut Style and Collaboration with the Green Center : The Poznań gallery is adjacent to the Green Center. This proximity opens the door to collaboration and the presentation of art created by individuals with diverse experiences, including those in the Art Brut movement , or raw art created outside the official mainstream.
Online Gallery of Various Arts and new forms of presentation
But what if you can't be in Gdańsk or Poznań in person? Don't worry! Art is now within your reach.
Online Gallery Store
For those unable to visit a gallery in person, the world of diverse art is accessible online. Many works can be found in places like the online gallery Gallery Store, which offers a wide selection of works by contemporary artists.
It is a virtual space where different genres and styles intertwine, and shopping is convenient and available at any time.
Possibilities to purchase and view works online
Many online platforms, such as TylkoSztuka.pl, Blue Gallery or Artsite, allow you to purchase paintings, graphics, sculptures and handicrafts.
This online art gallery allows you to support artists and find unique works without leaving home. However, please note that the official retail sales of Magda Beneda and the Kosycarz family's works are held in Gdańsk, and more information can be found on the artist's website.
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