Zderzak, Krakow

Founded in 1985 in Krakow, the Zderzak Gallery is a private institution operating independently, free from censorship and traditional art boundaries. The core objective of the gallery was to showcase the most captivating developments in emerging Polish art scene. During the mid-1980s, this primarily encompassed a resurgence in painting, a trend widely referred to as the "return to painting," alongside the advent of the Neue Wilde movement.

As the 1990s unfolded, the gallery underwent a conceptual transformation, delving into cultural archaeology. This entailed spotlighting artists who had been either disregarded or overlooked by conventional art history, yet held significant importance within the realm of Polish culture. These efforts were interwoven with a broader movement to rekindle historical memory, aptly suited for the period of transition.

Starting from 1989, Zderzak evolved into a trading enterprise, guarded by legal protection for its name and emblem. Under the stewardship of Marta Tarabuła, the gallery earned distinction as a specialized hub for trading contemporary Polish paintings. Furthermore, the gallery is equipped to provide authoritative insights into the works of Andrzej Wroblewski and extends certificates of authenticity for all featured artists.

The Zderzak gallery boasts a distinctive identity, molded by the circumstances of its inception – a landscape dominated by political oppression, the clandestine Solidarity movement, boycotts, and the flourishing of independent culture. These formative experiences continue to shape its ethos, setting it apart as an individualistic entity in stark contrast to the solidarity-driven intimacy and emotive fervor characteristic of the defining era.