The Tibetan Gallery in Poland’s capital city is a daring and eye-catching use of public outdoor space.
What used to be a utilitarian series of columns supporting an overpass in the district of Wola, was inaugurated in 2009 as a celebration of Tibetan culture.
There are feelings of fealty between the two countries – many Polish artists feel Tibet’s current circumstances under the auspices of China echoes Poland’s history over the last two hundred years under various empires.
In 2008, locals began calling the roundabout at the south end of the viaduct Rondo Tybetu (in English: Tibet Circus). What started with a few columns has stretched further north over the years, to become a genuine gallery, with more and more artwork slowly appearing.
The artists include a mix of contemporary Polish artists, from those associated with street art, to highly respected names whose paintings have been displayed at Zacheta, Poland’s equivalent of the National Gallery.
Several Tibetan monks have visited and also painted works, specifically the large prayers in traditional Tibetan script.
There are still plenty of columns awaiting the touch of paint, and the Tibetan Gallery will certainly continue to grow over the coming years.
All images by Adam Zulawski
