Edward Waligora

THE COLLECTION: Beside the initial Indonesian collection – including wonderful side arms, rich textiles, numerous shadow theatre puppets and masks, musical instruments, sculptures and paintings of contemporary artists – Mongolia, India, Nepal, Tibet, Vietnam, Burma, Laos, China , Central Asia (Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan), Afghanistan, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu are especially richly represented within the museum’s collection.

Since its beginning, the museum has been amassing not only objects originating from Asia but also the works of Polish artists inspired by Asia. The works of Andrzej Strumiłło are of particular significance, in whose art Asia is permanently present, as well as the works of Aleksander Kobzdej, Tadeusz Kulisiewicz, Roman Opałka or Stanisław Poznański. The museum is also a patron of artistic activities – during the 1970s and 80s, posters were designed by outstanding Polish artists, and until recently commemorative medals had been created by famous authors.

Because the Asia and Pacific Museum for many years operated without one permanent exhibition space, the collection was presented at temporary exhibitions, mainly at its two modest galleries: the Asian Gallery and Nusantara, as well as in many places in Poland and abroad. During more than 40 years of activity, the museum has organised nearly 1000 exhibitions, presenting the works of contemporary artists and photographers besides its own collection.… (mere)