Events & Media
Traces and Signs – Indigenous Peoples Painting from Central Australia at Galeria Bielska BWA (12 January - 25 February 2024)
Our journey through Poland with part of our collection began in 2024 in Bielsko-Biała, at Galeria Bielska BWA, which has been renowned for decades as one of the leading galleries in the country. This is a great honour for our collection.
Our upcoming exhibitions:
5 September 2025 – Anna Magdziarz Gallery of Painting and Drawing, Bielsko-Biała – Traces and Signs – Paintings by the Aboriginal People of Central Australia
16 May 2026 – Museum of the Lubusz Land in Zielona Góra – Traces and Signs – Paintings by the Aboriginal People of Central Australia
• Multimedia performance: “Aboriginal Australians – The First Peoples”
February 2027 – IMO Gallery in Stary Sącz – Traces and Signs – Paintings by the Aboriginal People of Central Australia
• Multimedia performance: “Aboriginal Australians – The First Peoples”
We invite galleries and other exhibition venues across Poland, as well as those abroad, to collaborate with us.
12 January – 25 February 2024
Galeria Bielska BWA, Lower Gallery – Exhibition of Aboriginal Art, the First Australians
12 January – 25 February 2024
Galeria Bielska BWA, Aquarium Café – Photographic Exhibition
9 February 2024 – Lecture on the Culture of Indigenous Australians
Full of meaning and intent, Aboriginal art uses lines and dots to tell stories of mythical events and the topography of the land.
At Galeria Bielska BWA, we are presenting 30 paintings by 15 artists from the collection of Julianna and Ryszard Bednarowicz, along with several artefacts from the art of the so-called First Nations.
The exhibited works reflect the two poles of Indigenous Australian creativity, visible in the art of Central Australia—both east and west of Alice Springs.
Artists featured:
Rosemary Petyarre, Polly Kngale, Kathleen Petyarre, Gracie Morton Pwerle, Cindy Wallace Nungurrayi, Paddy Sims Japaljarri, Bessie Sims Nakamarra, Mary Dixon Nungurrayi, Lynette Granites Nampitjinpa, Willy Tjungurrayi, Thomas Tjapaltjarri, Walala Tjapaltjarri, Barbara Reid Napangardi
Curators: Ryszard Bednarowicz, Marek Tomalik
Coverage:
• Film report from the opening at LuBBie.pl >>>
• Photo report from the opening on 12.01.2024 at Galeria Bielska BWA on LuBBie.pl >>>
• About the exhibitions at Galeria Bielska BWA on RMF Classic >>>
• About the exhibitions in the bimonthly magazine ART POST >>>
• Opening night report (12.01.2024) on Witaj Bielsko portal >>>
• The Secrets of Aboriginal Culture at Galeria Bielska BWA – Gazeta Wyborcza Kraków >>>
• Aboriginal Art from Saturday at Galeria Bielska BWA – TVP Katowice >>>
• Galeria Bielska BWA Presents Aboriginal Art – Dziennik Zachodni >>>
View Exhibition Catalogue (PDF)
The painting exhibition is accompanied by:
“Marek Tomalik – Australia – Where Flowers Are Born of Fire”, a photographic reportage from the author’s many journeys into the unknown world of the smallest continent.
The opening on 12 January 2024 concluded with a multimedia performance titled “Aboriginal Australians – The First Peoples”, featuring live music by the quartet Czerwie.
Other Media
The Bright Side of the World on RMF Classic >>>
Marek Tomalik speaks with Julianna and Ryszard Bednarowicz – “Aboriginal Art” – October 2019.
In the final part of the interview, Julianna Bednarowicz plays the didgeridoo—an instrument of the First Australians, also known by its Indigenous names such as yirdaki, magu, kanbi, and ihambilbilg.
The Bright Side of the World on RMF Classic >>>
Julianna speaks about her artistic life among Aboriginal communities and invites listeners to the “Traces and Signs” exhibition at Galeria Bielska BWA in Bielsko-Biała, which runs from 12 January to 25 February 2024.
This is the largest exhibition to date of Aboriginal art in Poland, featuring 30 paintings by 15 artists from the collection of Julianna and Ryszard Bednarowicz, who have lived in the heart of Australia for over 30 years and are undisputed authorities on this art form.