The 80s Are Watching Us - exhibition at DSH

The exhibition tells the story of women's lives in Poland in the 1980s. This period began with an economic and socio-political crisis and ended with the systemic transformation. Until now, this turbulent time has been presented primarily from the perspective of men: the main force responsible for the systemic changes. Meanwhile, women's experiences in social life are a testament to the intertwining of grand history with private everyday life, and their influence on the shape of the state after 1989 is undeniable. Everyday life, creativity and political events formed a dynamic current in which women sought to make decisions and influence the course of events, both on a personal and public level. The shared experience of despondency, of disagreement with the deteriorating living conditions at the beginning of the decade, turned into a demand for systemic change and joy at the birth of Solidarność and free trade unions. Martial law brought fear mixed with anger and hatred toward the authorities. The free elections of 1989 sparked enthusiasm, but also disappointment with the new political and economic order. Particularly important for women's health and lives was the year 1993, when the anti-abortion law was passed, the effects of which are felt to this day - emphasize the curators: Monika Rudaś-Grodzka, Łucja Iwanczewska and Katarzyna Stańczak-Wiślicz. The presence of women in the 1980s was marked in many areas, from public space, political activity, through social activism, professional work, to art, science, counterculture and everyday life. The exhibition focuses on four dimensions of women's experience, shown in the sections: "Family", "Church", "State", "Brave New World" (covering the years 1989–1993). The exhibition consists mainly of photographs depicting the private and public lives of known and unknown women. The protagonists of the exhibition are intellectuals, athletes, opposition activists, scientists, doctors, teachers and artists. The exhibition will present works by well-known photojournalists: Marzena Hmielewicz, Anna Michalak-Pawłowska, Anna Musiałówna and Agnieszka Sadowska. They are accompanied by reproductions of works by Polish artists: Urszula Broll, Katarzyna Górna, Izabella Gustowska, Joanna Kabala, Natalia LL, Irena Nawrot, Mariola Przyjemska, Ewa Partum and Janina Kraupe-Świderska. The exhibition can be viewed from 8 October 2026 to 21 February 2027 at the DSH gallery (ul. Karowa 20, Warsaw). The exhibition is accompanied by a catalogue and a family guide.