about

For over twenty-five years, Galerie Isabella Czarnowska has played an important role in introducing exceptional contemporary artists to the Western European public. In the early days of the gallery, which was founded as Galerie Isabella Kacprzak in Stuttgart in 1986 and relocated to Cologne in 1989, comprehensive monographic exhibitions featured American artists virtually unknown in Europe at the time: Allan McCollum, Louise Lawler and Richard Prince were among those presented here at an early stage in their careers. In Cologne, two outstanding painters joined the group of artists represented by the gallery – the native South African Marlene Dumas and Luc Tuymans of Belgium. The Polish sculptor Miroslaw Balka also had his first exhibition in Germany at the gallery in 1991. In the mid 1990s, following the significant shift in the geopolitical situation in Central Europe, the gallery moved to Berlin. Among the many solo and group exhibitions held here since then, in 2007, 2009 and 2013, three major exhibitions focussed on the work of the forgotten Polish sculptor Alina Szapocznikow. While continuing to work with established international artists, Galerie Isabella Czarnowska also places great emphasis on fostering the careers of young and emerging talents. The artists represented receive the gallery’s full support, whether they are mounting an exhibition in the gallery space or preparing shows and publications with museums or other art institutions. Galerie Isabella Czarnowska also publishes its own exhibition catalogues and monographs. From 1986 to 2003 the gallery operated under the names “Isabella Kacprzak” and “Galerie Isabella Kacprzak”. In 2006 the name was changed to “Galerie Isabella Czarnowska (formerly Kacprzak)”, and since the beginning of 2011 it has been “Galerie Isabella Czarnowska”. The newest gallery space in Rudi-Dutschke-Strasse 26 in Berlin was designed by the Swiss architect Philipp von Matt.

architect/s

Philipp von Matt