My visit to the Muzeum Sztuki Fantastycznej (Museum of Fantasy Art) was completely spontaneous. During a little May Day trip, I randomly decided to wander around Warsaw’s Praga district, and somehow ended up near the Koneser center. That’s where I saw posters for the exhibition and instantly knew I had to check it out. I walked in, asked if photos were allowed, bought a regular ticket for 40 zł, and started exploring.
The phone pics, resized to 1000px wide, might spark your imagination, but they don’t come close to the chills you get when you lean in and see each brushstroke up close. That’s why I really encourage you to go see the exhibition for yourself (it’s on until May 25, 2025). Especially since this is just a tiny, personal selection of 15 pieces that made the biggest impression on me. There are loads of great artworks there in all kinds of styles, and I bet your top 15 would be totally different.
For me, the biggest discovery of the exhibition was Jacek Szynkarczuk. I spent the most time standing in front of his works (honestly, I was kind of hoping to phase into one of his panels and live in the world he created), and I ended up picking four of his paintings for this list. Szynkarczuk’s got both the skill and the imagination. I think they look amazing even in photos, but seriously – if you get a chance, see them in person. The technique and precision are out of this world.
The most beautiful of all is his painting “Oaza” (Oasis) (oil on board, 2024), where I spent the most time, chatting with another visitor who also fell in love with it. I even circled back to it twice, breaking the usual viewing path. There’s something hypnotic about that cracked surface with water, the fish, and the city.
“Przystań między oceanami” (Harbor Between Oceans) (oil on board, 2024).
“Na szlaku światła” (On the Path of Light) (oil on board, 2025).
“Port syren” (Siren Port) (oil on board, 2024).
The idea of a character peeking in “from outside the frame” really spoke to me, and Andrzej Olczyk’s painting “Kowaliki” (Firebugs) (oil on board, 2023) froze me in place for a while.
When I got close to this piece, I instantly felt chills, cold, and fear. “Maska” (Mask) (oil on canvas, 2024) by Mariusz Krawczyk feels straight out of a nightmare – that weird space between sleep and waking where you accidentally peek “behind the curtain” of reality and immediately regret it.
Same goes for another one by Krawczyk: “Dom, którego nie było III” (The House That Never Was III) (oil on canvas, 2024).
Hyperrealism isn’t usually my favorite style, but “doMY02” (oil on canvas, 2025) by Michał Powałka is just flat-out great. It’s got a strong concept, awesome color choices, and really hits you emotionally.
Wiesław Wałkuski’s “Une Chienne Andalouse” (oil on board, 2024) – an absolutely stunning painting that will stay with me forever.
I saw this other one by Wałkuski for the first time at this show (it’s even featured on the flyer): “Kwiaty z Wenecji” (Flowers from Venice) (oil on canvas, 1992). There’s something electric about it.
Zdzisław Beksiński’s “Bez tytułu” (Untitled) (oil on board, 1976) – not his best work, maybe, but still very strong. Deeply symbolic and haunting.
This piece by Wojciech Siudmak, “Całkowita regeneracja” (Complete Regeneration) (acrylic on canvas, 1997), would’ve made the list based on color alone – the fact that it’s almost entirely in light tones is just amazing – and it also happens to have a great concept behind it.
This one by Krzysztof Powałka, titled “Polowanie” (The Hunt), is incredibly powerful. The antlers made of hands, and that touching gunshot wound – it says everything it needs to.
When you get close to “Bez tytułu” (Untitled) (oil on board, 2024) by Sebastian Smarowski and look into her eyes, you might get this strange, intense feeling. At least that’s what happened to me.
And Smarowski again with another “Bez tytułu” (Untitled) (oil on board, 2025). Beautiful color palette, intriguing subject, and an engaging theme. The painting pulls you right in – no doubt about that.
