Until July 20, 2025, the National Museum in Warsaw is hosting Self-Portraits – a striking exhibition that dives deep into how artists see themselves and the world around them. But don’t expect traditional portraits. This is a collection that challenges, surprises and invites reflection.
Twenty leading Polish contemporary artists, including names like Paweł Althamer, Mirosław Bałka, Barbara Falender, Zbigniew Libera, Rafał Milach, Wilhelm Sasnal and Artur Żmijewski, were invited to create completely new works for this show. The result? A powerful mix of paintings, sculptures, drawings, videos, sound installations and photography. All shown to the public for the very first time.
The idea behind the exhibition reaches back to the 19th century, when Ignacy Karol Count Korwin-Milewski began commissioning portraits of Polish artists. Over 100 years later, this project picks up that thread – only now, it’s reframed for the 21st century. These new self-portraits challenge what a self-portrait can be.
Some artists appear only through sound, space or abstract forms. Others turn their bodies into sites of protest or vulnerability, addressing themes like aging, exclusion, disability, political systems or climate change. There’s no single story here. Just twenty powerful, deeply personal perspectives on what it means to be an artist today.
The diversity of media and approaches makes this exhibition more than a visual experience. It’s a space for dialogue, reflection and connection – between artist and viewer, past and present, art and society.
This ambitious project was made possible thanks to the Friends of the National Museum Association, whose charity auctions and cultural events helped fund the purchase of these works. Their support shows just how vital private patronage remains in the world of art. Alongside the exhibition, visitors can explore a program of talks, workshops, and events, as well as a beautifully designed catalog featuring essays on the evolution of the self-portrait.
Bold visuals, quiet introspection or thought-provoking commentary… Whatever speaks to you, Self-Portraits delivers a deeply personal and unforgettable experience.
