Kora Tea Kowalska “These are not my things”

For more than two decades Vilnius and Gdansk which share an inseparable historical experience and deep cultural traditions have been linked by a special tradition - the annual cultural exchange festival held in both cities - which strengthens their friendship.

“Gdansk in Vilnius” is an exceptional opportunity to get to know the culture of the neighbouring country and the achievements of Gdansk artists. From the 16th to the 30th of May Užupis Art Incubator Gallery invites you to get acquainted with the work of artist and cultural researcher Kora Tea Kowalska in the exhibition “These are not my things”.

The exhibition presentation event will take place on the 23rd of May at 16:00 h. at the Užupis Art Incubator Gallery (Užupio g. 2A).

In the exhibition Kora Tea Kowalska resurrects discarded objects transforming them from silent remnants of an unknown past into symbols of memory and continuity. By carefully arranging and categorising the found objects the artist connects the fragmentary traces of an unknown woman's life - her roots in Vilnius the difficulties of trying to rebuild her life in post-war Gdansk. Among the carefully arranged objects - unfinished dresses and scraps of fabric preserved in a suitcase - quietly tell the story of unfinished works and unfulfilled dreams. In the hands of the artist these forgotten objects become artefacts that question themes of matter ownership inheritance and the invisible threads that connect us to our past lives. The works in the exhibition invite us to reconsider our relationship with objects not only as possessions but also as narrators witnesses and perhaps the last guardians of history.

Kora Tea Kowalska is an archaeologist cultural historian lecturer writer collector of discarded and non-obvious objects. Combining practical archaeological experience with the theories of the humanitarian sciences Kora's work analyses the relationship between objects and people. She is interested in the theory and practice of collecting the history of material culture design and the anthropology of everyday life. At the University of Gdansk and the Polish-Japanese Academy of Information Technology she teaches original classes on collecting the theory of rubbish and art in museums. Kora collaborates with many Polish cultural and arts institutions working together on installations debates exhibitions and museum collections.

Opening hours of Užupis Art Incubator Gallery (Užupio g. 2A) III-VI 13:00-18:00.

Exhibition partner: Gdańsk Archipelago of Culture (GAK)

Organisers of the Gdansk in Vilnius 2025 Festival: Vilnius City Municipality Gdańsk City Municipality Vilnius Culture Centre Gdańsk Archipelag Kultury

Also check out other Exhibitions in Vilnius, Arts events in Vilnius, Festivals in Vilnius.