The aim of the exhibition is to promote Poland as a country with a rich cultural heritage, modern design, and age-old artistic traditions. "Poland – the world's amber centre – is showing in China how nature, history and art can come together in one stone," says Sebastian Tajl, who has been promoting Poland, amber and artistic jewellery in China for almost 20 years.
„Gazing into Time” is the world's largest chronological exhibition of amber jewellery and art. It showcases over 1,000 exhibits created by over 90 artists from Poland and other countries. Among them are natural pieces of amber, unique inclusions millions of years old, as well as contemporary jewellery, sculptures, and applied art.
The exhibition showcases amber in a broad context – from its natural origins to its significance in history and culture. A special place is given to amber in Polish artistic tradition, which dates back to the Middle Ages, and today serves as an example of the mastery and creativity of Polish designers.
The exhibition also featured amber works from the Qing Dynasty from the collection of the Henan Museum, bearing witness to the craftsmanship of ancient Chinese masters. These unique artefacts, created from the same „northern gold” that has been Poland's pride for centuries, showcase the historical connections between East and West and create a symbolic dialogue between Chinese tradition and Polish amber heritage – explains Sebastian Tajl.
A fresh look at culture and craftsmanship
This year's exhibition is larger than previous ones – it includes more exhibits, a broader thematic scope, and emphasises intangible cultural heritage, drawing attention to professions that are gradually disappearing. An example is a replica of the medieval book „The Book of Nature”, made by master bookbinder Jerzy Budnik using 12th-14th-century techniques. It is adorned with a cactus made by artist Iwona Tamborska with a flower carved from natural amber by Przemysław Kuś – a contemporary interpretation of nature captured in northern gold. Bobowa bobbin lace, inscribed on the list of Polish intangible heritage, has also found its place – in an entirely new guise. Ewa Szpila, a master in this craft, has created jewellery using traditional techniques and adorned it with Baltic amber.
Amber connects worlds
A new element of the exhibition is an international art project where amber becomes a common thread for cultures from different continents. Within its framework, works inspired by the Mexican Día de los Muertos – the god and goddess of death, created by the artist Ney from Mexico and Maja Woźniak from Poland – have been produced. The exhibition also features a Venetian mask from the workshop of Sergio and Massimo Boldrin, decorated with amber by Jola Słoma and Mirek Trymbulak – a symbol of cooperation between Polish and Italian artistic heritage. The project will continue to grow, with creators from China, Africa, and other countries joining to produce further works with amber as a connector of cultures.
„Gazing at Time” is a story about Poland
„Gazing into Time” is more than just an exhibition about amber. It's a story about Poland – a country with a rich culture, a long artistic tradition, and modern design, capable of drawing from the past while looking to the future. The exhibition's narrative has been crafted to be clear and inspiring for a Chinese audience – showcasing Poland as a place where history, craftsmanship, and art create a cohesive, vibrant whole. It's an invitation to discover Poland – a country where amber has long been a symbol of beauty and creative inspiration, as well as a connection between people and cultures.
Exhibiting artists:
Jacek Baron, Anna Betley, Paulina Binek, Wiesława Bogdańska, Marcin Bogusław, Eliza and Krzysztof Bondaruk, Prof. Dr. hab. Andrzej Boss, Sergio Boldrin, Danuta Burczik-Kruczkowska, Dorota Cenecka, Sławomir Chmielewski, Bartosz Ciba, Katarzyna Czajkowska, Danuta Czapnik, Arturas Davainis, Tadeusz Dobkowski, Ludwik Dumin, Grażyna Fila, Maria Fijałkowska, Prof. Dr. hab. Sławomir Fijałkowski, Wanda and Bogdan Frydrychowicz, Jolanta Gazda, Aleksander Gliwiński, Mariusz Gliwiński, Leszek Górski, Dorota Gulbierz, Izabela Gutowska, Andrzej Jacyszyn, Janina Jaksina, Czesława Kaczyńska, Paweł Kaczyński, Wojciech Kalandyk, Tomasz Kargul, Bogusław Kołpak, Katarzyna Konieczka, Dorota Kos, Roman Kowalkowski, Aleksandra and Marcin Kukawski, Andrzej Kupniewski, Przemysław Kuś, Wiesław Kuś, Małgorzata Mieleszko, Agnieszka Nowicka, Krzysztof Nowiński (with M. Nowaczyk and E. Held), Jacek Ostrowski, Elżbieta and Marek Pawłowski, Małgorzata Podgórska, Jan Pomianowski, Eryk Popkiewicz, Harald Popkiewicz, Olaf Popkiewicz, Adam Pstrągowski, Dariusz Ptak, Edward Puchalski, Bożena Przytocka, Izabela Robaczewska, Gabriela Reca, Salvador Rodriguez, Wojciech Rygało, Michał Starost, Tomasz Stangrecki, Justyna Stasiewicz, Sława Tchórzewska, Mirek Trymbulak & Jola Słoma, Marcin Tymiński, Sławomir Wasilewski, Irena Wastag, Ryszard Węsierski, Marta Włodarska, Maja Woźniak, Piotr Zarański.
„Gazing into Time” Exhibition”
Henan Provincial Museum
26.07 – 26.10.2025