African Art Gallery

African Art Gallery — the collection of Joanna and Ryszard Stolarski — is a space created out of passion, knowledge, and deep respect for African cultural heritage. Its beginnings trace back to the meeting of Ryszard Stolarski, a collector and art enthusiast, with the distinguished tribal art dealer Rudi Steinemann, who ran a tribal art gallery in Wiesbaden. That was the start of a journey that today leads to one of the most fascinating private collections of African art in Poland.

The collection currently comprises more than 200 carefully selected objects originating primarily from West and Central Africa. Each piece was acquired with attention not only to provenance and aesthetic merit, but also to its state of preservation and research potential. The exhibits include sculptures, masks, and ritual artefacts — drawn from both historic private collections and museum holdings from around the world.

The uniqueness of the gallery's holdings lies not only in their diversity but also in their meticulous documentation. Every object has its own inventory card, history, name, and attribution — often established through field research. All objects have been professionally described, photographed, and conserved. The collection is under the continuous care of distinguished specialists in art history and conservation, as well as experienced museum curators, ensuring the highest scholarly and ethical standards.

African Art Gallery is more than a collection — it is a living testimony to history, culture, and spirituality. It is a space that inspires, educates, and provokes reflection on the significance of African art within the context of universal cultural values.