Małgorzata Mirga-Tas
by Agata Wąsowska-Pawlik, Weronika Kobylińska, Natalia Żak, Edyta Jaśkowiak, Monika Weychert, Aleksandra Szczepan, Anna Mirga-Kruszelnicka, Anna Markowska, Wojciech Szymański, Monika (historyczka sztuki) Szewczyk
2022 · 231 pages
Travelling Images is the first solo exhibition of Małgorzata Mirga-Tas – currently the major representative of contemporary Roma art – after the great success at this year’s 59. Biennial of Art in Venice. At the ICC we show a large selection of the artist’s works from years 2017–2022, including the series “Out of Egypt” and the series of large-format tapestries titled “Herstories”. We also present new works addressing, among others, the history of the Roma community in Nowa Huta and the Roma memory.Małgorzata Mirga-Tas draws on the art of the past, especially Renaissance painting, as well as on everyday life. On the one hand she appropriates significant elements of European heritage and early modern art. On the other, she researches and incorporates photographs from her family archives.The first part of the exhibition, titled Atlas is composed of the works by different artists – more and less known – that come from a variety of collections, and were produced in various techniques. They illustrate the stereotypical view of Roma people. In the following rooms we will see the pieces by Małgorzata Mirga-Tas. They disenchant established images and take a form of personal and collective self-presentation. This part of the exhibition is divided into five groups: “O Fotografis” (A photographer), “Newo Rom – newo drom” (New human/new Roma man – new way), “Siukar Manusia” (Good/wonderful people), “Giantesses”, and “Out of Egypt”. The artist addresses the issues of complex Romani and Polish identity, decolonisation of the Roma material cultural heritage, and the Holocaust of Roma and Sinti.Małgorzata Mirga-Tas is inspired by Roma women, who are often cast as protagonists of her works. They are family members, closest collaborators, fellow artists and activists – significant figures for the Roma community. This specific minority feminism practiced by the artist seeks to deconstruct the stereotypical image of Roma women, perpetuated over the centuries in visual culture.The artist produces monumental pieces and screens works with textiles and clothing. She often uses materials and personal belongings that were given to her by relatives and friends. Hypnotising, vibrant with colours, textures, and details, her collages and installations tell stories that demand our emotional investment.
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