Paris Design Week
Institut Polonais, Paris
12-30th September 2026
A New Generation of Polish Collectible Design. Visteria Foundation in cooperation with the Polish Institute in Paris presented Polish Design at Paris Design Week. A continuation of From the Same Earth, a project initiated in 2024 at Villa Pniewski in Warsaw, The Matter of Earth built upon the original exhibition while expanding its scope with new artists, new commissions and an evolving curatorial narrative.
Curated by Eleonora Bojanowska and Bartosz Brylewski, The Matter of Earth explores the relationship between artists and the earth - understood as material, landscape, memory and place of origin. Beginning with personal histories, inherited knowledge and local traditions, the exhibition examines how contemporary makers transform natural materials into works that bridge craftsmanship, sculpture and collectible design. Rooted in place yet universal in expression, the works reveal an enduring dialogue between people, material and environment.
Presented in the newly renovated galleries of the Institut Polonais de Paris, the exhibition was co-organised with the Institute as part of Paris Design Week 2026. Located in the heart of Paris's 8th arrondissement, where the Institute has served more than 45 years as a platform for promoting Polish culture and fostering artistic dialogue between Poland and France.
Press:
The exhibition brought together works by: Jan Ankiersztajn i Anna Jęchorek, Bartosz Brylewski (Bart Brylew Studio), Jakub Ciemachowski i Piotr Kołakowski (Huba Studio), Marek Ćwięk (Work available at Studiotwentyseven Gallery), Jakub Kijowski i Alicja Prussakowska (Formsophy), Daniel Kołodziejczak (Studio Daniel K) (Courtesy of Nilufar Gallery), Marcin Kuberna (Grôpk), Anna Milczanowska (Courtesy of Craftica Gallery), Agnieszka Owsiany (In collaboration with blacksmith Andreas Billert), Bartłomiej Stawiński and Aleksandra Zawistowska (Szkło Studio) (Courtesy of Objekt Gallery) - the new generation of Polish collectible design.
The Matter of Earth. A New Generation of Polish Collectible Design was organised by Visteria Foundation and Institut Polonais de Paris.
Curators: Eleonora Bojanowska and Bartosz Brylewski
Exhibition design: Bartosz Brylewski
Production: Matylda Polak
Exhibition graphic design: Kaja Kusztra
Project management and production: Matylda Polak
Scenography production: Ferwor
PR & Communication:
Szymon Machnikowski
International - Perrier Communication
Poland - Royal Heroes
Creative Consulting: Hanna Rydlewska
Copyediting: Aleksandra Boćkowska
Translation: Joanna Figiel, Dorota Maline
Partners: Paris Design Week, DESA Unicum, Instytut Adama Mickiewicza
Honorary Patronage: The Embassy of Poland in Paris
Media partners: Vogue Polska Living, Harper’s BAZAAR Polska
Photography: Studio Brinth, Edward Wendt