Queer Gaze from Poland. A Portrait of Love and Desire

Fresh From Poland in cooperation with Bermondsey Project Space present the first group photography show that features works produced by LGBTQ+ artists born in Poland, with a particular focus on images exploring intimacy and interpersonal relationships.

Bermondsey Project Space, London
22-26.05.2018

Although homosexuality in Poland is legal and protected by general anti-discrimination law, the majority of the population consider same-sex relationships as unnatural and immoral. Outside of a few bigger cities it is impossible to be openly queer and have a respectable life.

Due to the social and political and religious situation, queer artists do not get enough visibility and recognition in their own country. Some of them hide their identity and do not bring up queer-related topics in their practices at all, others keep working for a small, private audience or emigrate in search for a chosen family and creative freedom.

The selection of works exhibited at Bermondsey Project Space – intimate portraits, fragments of visual diaries, snapshots – could not be displayed in Poland without being a political statement.  Our aim is to present them the way there are – as beautiful, captivating works by talented photographers, who were given the space to express themselves in an inclusive environment without prejudices.

Exhibited artists: Pamela Bożek, Mateusz Cyrankowski, Mateusz Grzelak, Agata Kalinowska, Krystian Lipiec, Kinga Michalska, Oiko Petersen, Jerzy Piątek, Natalia Podgórska, Łukasz Rusznica

The show wa curated by Grażyna Siedlecka and co-curated by Gosia Fricze and Katarzyna Roniek, organized by Fresh From Poland in collaboration with Bermondsey Project Space.

The exhibition is possible thanks to our sponsor – Blaze Image.