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Warsaw Gallery Weekend is an annual review of contemporary art organized by leading galleries, cultural institutions, foundations, and art collectives. In 2025, WGW will take place for the 15th time, bringing together 53 galleries and 50 exhibitions.
As part of the WGW+ section, the exhibition “Tożsamość” (“Identity” / “Ідэнтычнасць”) by renowned Polish artist of Belarusian origin Leon Tarasewicz will be presented.
One of the artist’s works is inspired by the optical phenomenon known as the “Alexander’s band”—the dark strip of sky between the arcs of a double rainbow. This piece combines the author’s fascination with natural phenomena and his interest in the cultural heritage of different regions and their histories.
Another painting depicts a road disappearing into fog among leafless trees—a view that often accompanies the artist during his early morning walks. It can be interpreted as a metaphor for a journey into the unknown. Formally, this work refers to Tarasewicz’s early compositions from the 1980s, built on rhythmic, simplified forms and a limited color palette.
Leon Tarasewicz was born on March 14, 1957, in the village of Wawry, Białystok County, Podlaskie Voivodeship. He graduated from the Faculty of Painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, where from 1996 he headed the Painting Studio, and from 2009 to 2022 led the Studio of Painting Space at the Faculty of Media Arts. In 2001, he represented Poland at the 49th International Venice Biennale.
He has been awarded the Silver Medal “Gloria Artis”, the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta, the Polityka Passport Award, the Grand Prize of the Culture Foundation, and the Professor Aleksander Gieysztor Award.
Organizational support for the exhibition was provided by the Monopol Gallery, with special thanks to Zuzanna Sokalska.
The exhibition “Tożsamość” will be open from September 19 to October 19, 2025.
