When does the exhibition take place?

The exhibition runs from June 12, 2026, to October 9, 2026. The recorded date here is September 30, 2026, at 11:00 AM.

Where can the exhibition be seen?

At the Polish Institute Düsseldorf, Citadellstraße 7, 40213 Düsseldorf.

How much is the entrance fee?

According to web research, entrance is free.

What is the exhibition about?

The focus is on alternative historical images, historical painting, memory, power, and marginalized perspectives, particularly with a focus on queer and trans experiences.

Is the exhibition suitable for art enthusiasts without prior knowledge?

Yes, the presentation connects vivid visual worlds with easily comprehensible themes and is suitable for visitors who want to rediscover contemporary art.

Are there any details about tours or workshops?

Currently, the available web sources do not mention specific tours or workshops. Please check for current notices from the institute.

Mikołaj Sobczak Opens a Dark, Clever Picture Theatre about History and Power

Name: Mikołaj Sobczak. Divide and Rule
Start: 2026-09-30T13:00:00+02:00
End: 2026-10-09T19:00:00+02:00
Location: Polnisches Institut Düsseldorf

Mikołaj Sobczak in Düsseldorf: When Historical Painting Speaks to the Present

At the Polish Institute Düsseldorf, Mikołaj Sobczak opens an art experience with Divide and Rule that showcases history not as a fixed narrative but as an open field of images, bodies, and memories. The exhibition is the first institutional solo exhibition of the artist in Düsseldorf and is part of the context of Manifesta 16 Ruhr.

Historical Images, Read Anew

Sobczak questions the conventions of historical painting and develops multifaceted, often surreal tableaus where real protagonists encounter each other. His works move between painting, video, objects, and performance, shifting established narratives towards alternative historical depictions.

Queer and Trans Perspectives at the Center

Particularly poignant is Sobczak's focus on marginalized voices. The exhibition places queer and trans perspectives at the forefront, linking questions of memory, identity, power, and resistance with the political dimension of image production. The result is an exhibition that not only captivates aesthetically but also enables cultural education and critical engagement with the works.

Between Painting, Video, and Performative Energy

The artist, born in 1989 in Poznań, works within a dense media framework. His visual worlds connect historical references with contemporary conflicts, sometimes condensed, sometimes fragmentary, always with high narrative pressure. The exhibition showcases central works from different phases of his career and reveals how Sobczak treats history as contradictory material.

Manifesta 16 Ruhr as an Art Historical Resonance Space

As a participant in Manifesta 16 Ruhr, Sobczak is part of a larger discourse on contemporary art, memory politics, and societal negotiation. Curated by Krzysztof Kościuczuk, the exhibition unfolds in the gallery space of the institute a concentrated exhibition atmosphere where image, text, and political context closely intertwine.

A Worthwhile Visit for Art Enthusiasts

Divide and Rule promises an intense look at contemporary painting and its political possibilities. Those who perceive art as an aesthetic experience and as a space for thought will find an exhibition here that resonates long after and is well worth visiting in Düsseldorf.

Official Channels of Mikołaj Sobczak:

Instagram: no official profile found
Facebook: no official profile found
YouTube: no official profile found
Website: https://instytutpolski.pl/duesseldorf/2026/07/07/mikolaj-sobczak-ausstellung/