The Zdzisław Beksiński Subcarpathian Center for Contemporary Art in Sanok

The Zdzisław Beksiński Subcarpathian Center of Contemporary Art in Sanok is a modern art gallery that opened on May 19, 2012. Built as an extension to the Sanok Castle, it serves as a monument to the outstanding artist Zdzisław Beksiński, a native of Sanok, who bequeathed an extensive collection of his works to the museum in his will. The history of the gallery dates back to the second half of the 19th century, when Austrian authorities began constructing the southern wing of the castle. Unfortunately, in 1915, it was destroyed by Russian forces during World War I. After the war, the ruins were dismantled, and the new gallery building, resembling its pre-destruction form, was constructed using funds from the European Regional Development Fund. The gallery consists of five floors and connects to the castle via corridors; its architecture differs from the original structure in the shape of the windows and the number of floors. The collection displayed in the gallery is the largest in the world and includes Beksiński's works from the 1960s onward, including his photographs, early drawings, paintings, reliefs, sculptures, and graphic art. An interesting part of the exhibition is the reconstructed Warsaw studio of the artist, where visitors can see what his daily creative process looked like. The gallery also features special aluminum drawers containing drawings that can be browsed, and monitors display films and catalogs related to Beksiński. On the opening day, the gallery was visited by approximately 10,000 people, reflecting its popularity. The gallery is a significant point on Sanok's cultural map and attracts art enthusiasts from around the world, offering them the opportunity to experience both Beksiński's work and the history associated with it.