Pavlo Kovach: Soldier, Artist, and the Body

21 March 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

The Pavlo Kovach exhibition in Lublin blends wartime relics with conceptual art, questioning identity and safety for visitors.

Pavlo Kovach exhibition at Galeria Labirynt confronts visitors with objects taken from the front and the studio. Consequently, the show asks a simple question: whose body is this — the soldier’s or the artist’s?

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Pavlo Kovach exhibition: between soldier and artist

The opening drew a marked contrast between the public ritual of an art show and the private realities of war. Moreover, the artist arrived with a private bodyguard in dark glasses. Therefore, attendees watched a man scan the room and track visitors. However, some wondered if that presence formed part of the artwork. In addition, the gallery staged a short program in its cinema room. The Ukrainian consul Oleh Kuts and the artist spoke briefly. Then visitors moved through a narrow vestibule to enter the main space.

What the show looks and feels like

The entry corridor felt cramped and deliberate. Consequently, the layout forced a choice between two doors. Moreover, that binary decision set a tone of urgency and uncertainty. I chose the right door, because I habitually move right. However, the other door led to the same large hangar. The former school workshops now serve as a cavernous gallery. In addition, the installation uses minimal, conceptual forms. Yet the objects carry heavy meanings. For example, the show displays a cast of a fallen soldier’s boot insole. Moreover, it shows a dog tag recovered on the front lines. Therefore, personal fragments create a tense atmosphere.

Why this matters to foreigners in Lublin

The exhibition links everyday civilian life with front-line experience. Consequently, it offers a rare chance for expats to see how Ukrainian artists remember war. Moreover, Lublin sits near Poland’s eastern border and hosts many Ukrainians and international guests. Therefore, the cultural exchange here reflects wider regional dynamics. In addition, the gallery mixes greenery and mirrors with military remnants. Thus, the show balances memory with moments of ordinary life, like plants in pots and leaf-strewn reflections. However, the work still asks uncomfortable ethical questions about ownership, representation, and consent.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: Galeria Labirynt sits in central Lublin and offers free entry until the end of May, open Tuesday to Sunday, 12:00–19:00. Consequently, you do not need a ticket, but bring ID if you plan longer stays (a PESEL is an ID number for residents). Moreover, respect artwork rules: do not touch exhibits, and ask staff before photographing. Therefore, expect security staff at openings; they may protect artists, not intimidate visitors. In addition, local services like ZUS (social insurance) and NFZ (national health fund) rarely affect short visits, but learn Polish emergency numbers and clinic procedures if you stay longer. Finally, galleries often host talks in Polish, so check for English translations in advance.

Ultimately, the exhibition mixes the intimate and the political. Moreover, it demonstrates how an artist can embody both soldier and storyteller. Therefore, for expats in Lublin the show offers a direct lesson in regional history and human cost.

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