Opening: 01.12.2023, 7PM – with the presence of Wojciech Plewiński
Finissage: 16.02.2024 (Friday), 6PM – with the presence of the artist
Exhibition: 02.12.2023–19.01.2024 // EXTENDED UNTIL THE 16.02.2024
Place: Jednostka Gallery, Andersa 13 St., 00-159 Warsaw
The exhibition Notes by Wojciech Plewiński, a master of Polish photography, presents a fascinating set of vintage prints made by the artist in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. – from early, little-known works to later, iconic shots
Wojciech Plewiński’s words “don’t go along with the group, take off immediately and take notes my own way” from a conversation with Aleksandra Boćkowska in 2023 could become the motto of the artist’s entire oeuvre [1]. Born in 1928 and trained as an architect, he was always looking for an individual point of view. Desiring professional freedom, he discovered photography and it was the camera that became the perfect tool for him to ‘take notes his own way’.
Plewinski has been taking his notes since the 1950s. Initially, he photographed architecture. Later, man began to appear among the architecture, at first only as staffage. As time passed, it was the human being who became the most interesting to the photographer and it was he who took centre stage in the artist’s countless photographic notes. Among these are a variety of subjects. Portraits of representatives of the world of culture and art, many of which have entered the canon of Polish photography. Notes from journeys in Poland, Italy or France. In addition to documents, also creations. Nudes, photomontage, collages.
The exhibition shows these themes in the form of vintage prints, i.e. prints made by Wojciech Plewiński close to the time the photographs were taken. These are the most valuable copies in the oeuvre of the artist, an extraordinary photographer and man who this year celebrates 70 years of creative work.
[1] Aleksandra Boćkowska, Not a word about the girls – text in the album accompanying the exhibition Posed, Candid: Wojciech Plewiński’s Photographs, History Meeting House, Warsaw 2023, p. 202.
Wojciech Plewiński, Barbara Nazar I, 1966