Poland's artist selection for the upcoming 2024 Venice Biennale, considered to be the most prestigious exhibition in the world, turns awry as political issues interject the initial choice made last year.
Visitors view "Re-enchanting the World" by Polish-Roma artist Malgorzata Mirga-Tas at the Pavilion of Poland, during a press day at the 59th Venice Art Biennale in Venice on April 20, 2022.
Behind Poland's Initial Support for Ignacy Czwartos
Poland's previous administration, run by the Law and Justice party (PiS), originally chose Ignacy Czwartos to be the country's representative in this year's Venice Biennale.
That said, a statement issued last Dec. 29 by the current Polish Ministry of Culture, Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz, which operates under the administration of the newly elected Prime Minister Donald Tusk, announced the cancellation of support for Czwartos' would-be project.
According to his statement to The Art Newspaper, Czwartos had already received the green light for his proposed exhibition dubbed "Polish Practice in Tragedy. Between Germany and Russia" following his win in a competition.
To add, the artist was also reportedly endorsed by one of the jury members, which was convened by the Zachęta National Gallery of Art in Warsaw.
Politics Surrounding the Selection for the Venice Biennale
Last year, after Czwartos' selection was publicized, his proposal received outrage from critics who said that it represents too much of a bias towards the agenda of the Law and Justice party. Some of these critics were former staff of the Zachęta Gallery, including three individuals from the museum's jury.
On Oct. 31, Poland's then-Ministry of Culture confirmed that Czwartos would be the one to represent the country at the coming national pavilion. This announcement was made following the general election that occurred on Oct. 15.
The result of that election turned out to be bad for PiS as it had failed to win the majority vote which had put its opposition, as represented by current PM Tusk, to take office starting on Dec. 13, after forming a newly established centrist coalition within the country's government.
Czwartos said that even though the contract was already signed by the competition jury, which was decided following "the legal procedures" and was backed by the former Minister of Culture, his project was still stopped following a Dec. 29 statement from the newly seated minister.
"I perceive it as censorship," the artist said.
Now, instead of Czwartos, a collective of artists called "Open Group," comprising Yuriy Biley, Pavlo Kovach, and Anton Varga, will be representing the country in the national pavilion.
In a statement to the art publication, the gallery said: "As per the regulations, Sienkiewicz has given the go-ahead to the backup exhibition project, 'Repeat after Me,' submitted by curator Marta Czyż and featuring Open Group."
