Agnieszka Brzeżańska. On herbs, trees and lichen

Agnieszka Brzeżańska is a painter, creates drawings, photographs, movies and pottery. As part of the intervention at the Museum of Pharmacy, the artist uses plants that are the basis of many modern medications, guiding us towards one of the most important sectors of pharmacy — phytotherapy (herbal medicine). She reminds others on the healing power of herbs growing in the crevices of urban ecosystems. Nowadays, the natural medicines, which were broadly used in the past, including magic and rituals, have not been getting enough recognition in our home medicine cabinets.

The artist also collects and describes weeds and ruderal plants which, despite of their healthy applications, are often considered as undesirable. Among species included in the artist’s herbarium, one will find mugwort — when walking around the exhibition, you can smell its scent revealed from small openings in one of the presented sculptures. The sensory object brings to mind associations with old aromatherapeutic rituals, inhalation based on extracts from native species of wild grass and shrubs or censing households with herbal smoke in order to repel sickness.

The story told through Brzeżańska’s works manifest an affectionate observation of the surroundings that send people caregiving signs in the form of plants. Herbal notions intertwine with the artist’s creations to encourage noticing the hidden alliances of all living creatures, unanimated beings and their common past. This practice rooted in observation of nature refers to folklore and meditation. In her works, Brzeżańska translates past beliefs and traditions with modern theories focused around eco- and hydrofeminism. In rooms of the former pharmacy, she leaves traces that send people back to other female artists (and healers), encouraging the visitors to come up with their own associations.

The title of the exhibition is inspired by a fragment of a Renaissance botanical work titled Polish herbarium, or Of the Complexion of Various Herbs and Trees, and Other Things of which Medicines Comprise (1595), the first original Polish herbarium written by Marcin of Urzędów. He was a medical doctor and a botanist who presented the application of medicinal herbs and healthy species of trees in two illustrated volumes.

Romuald Demidenko

On herbs, trees and lichen
November 21, 2024 – March 2, 2025
PLN 12 regular / PLN 8 concession, free Thursday
Museum of Pharmacy, 31/33 Piwna St.