Art: Musiał's best

Warsaw's Galeria aTAK is hosting an exhibition of Polish art since 1945, taken from the private collection of millionaire Krzysztof Musiał. The gallery will host two successive exhibits under the broad title of "Notes on the Changing Art Scene," providing a glimpse at two very distinct directions in Polish art. The first show - the "figurative series" is currently up and running until January 23 and the "abstract series" will follow beginning January 28, running through February 22.

As one of the most affluent people in Poland - having made his fortune from the early days of computer technology in Poland - Musiał is among the best-known collectors in the Polish art market. His impressive bank balance and keen eye have enabled Musiał to put together one of the richest and most interesting surveys of artworks from Poland's most prominent post-war painters and sculptors.

"Today Musiał almost single-handedly sets the trends for collectors across the country," said Katarzyna Jankowska-Cieślik of the aTAK gallery.

The exhibit features many lesser-know artists alongside the biggest names in Polish art, such as Krzysztof Bednarski, Marian Czapli, Stanisław Fijałkowski, Jerzy Nowosielski, Jan Lebenstein, Jarosław Modzelewski, Leon Tarasewicz, Jan Tarasin and Andrzej Wróblewski. The broad brushstrokes and simple lines that characterize the style of Modzelewski, Grzyb and Nowosielski are in direct contrast to the romantic and often surreal imagery contained within the works of Lebenstein and Zbysław Marek Maciejewski. However, there is a common thread of introspection and melancholy which seems to dominate much of the modern art scene, particularly in Poland.

Overall, this is the show to see if you're looking to get a real feel for the Polish art scene.

Galeria aTAK is located on ul. Krakowskie Przedmieście 16/18. For more information, log on to www.atak.art.pl