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Polish actor celebrates 60 years in showbiz with photo show

04.10.2024 08:00
Veteran Polish actor Janusz Gajos is celebrating 60 years in showbiz with a new photography exhibition.
Janusz Gajos
Janusz Gajos Grzegorz Śledź/Polskie Radio

The exhibition at the Katarzyna Napiórkowska Art Gallery in Warsaw also marks another milestone for Gajos: his 85th birthday last month.

The display, entitled Tak to było (That's How It Was), runs from October 2 to 15, showcasing a selection of Gajos' personal photography.

The exhibit is a retrospective of his lesser-known but long-standing passion for photography, which he has pursued alongside his acting career.

According to the gallery's owner, Gajos first debuted as a photographer in this Warsaw venue over a decade ago.

The latest show marks a continuation of Gajos' artistic journey, offering a fresh perspective on his multifaceted talents.

Visitors to the gallery will gain a deeper understanding of the actor's artistic pursuits and his impact on Polish culture.

His photographs, selected personally for this exhibition, reflect both spontaneity and careful observation, qualities he developed through acting.

Gajos has said that the core principle of his work in both acting and photography is rooted in the art of observation.

The exhibition offers a unique glimpse into Gajos' sensitivity and attention to detail, portraying not just the external world but also revealing aspects of his inner self.

The photographs on display span various themes, including nature, urban scenes and portraits taken during his travels.

A particular emphasis is placed on the relationship between light and landscape. Gajos' photography combines an instinct for capturing moments in an instant with a thoughtful selection of the most striking images.

Gajos began his acting journey at the age of 11, performing in a children's theater. Despite initial setbacks in applying to the prestigious National Film School in the central city of Łódź, he was admitted on his fourth attempt and graduated in 1965.

His breakout role came in the iconic Polish 1960s TV wartime drama series Czterej pancerni i pies (Four Tank-Men and a Dog), where he played tank crewman Janek Kos.

Throughout his career, Gajos has received numerous accolades, including the Gloria Artis Gold Medal for Merit in Culture in 2007 and the Commander's Cross with Star of the Polonia Restituta Order in 2011. He has also been awarded multiple Orły (Eagles), Poland's top film awards.

(rt/gs)

Source: PAP