“Looking Through Objects. Women in Contemporary Polish Design” Exhibition at Design Museum Brussels

A story of women shaping Polish design

At its core, Looking Through Objects is a celebration of contemporary Polish design told through the lens of women creators. The curators’ selection of objects offers insight into the recent transformations of the Polish design scene—and into the pivotal role that women continue to play in that process.

Each piece is accompanied by statements from the designers and behind-the-scenes glimpses of their studios, offering viewers a closer, more personal look at their creative worlds. Together, they reveal a spectrum of creative approaches—where art, craft, and technology intertwine, and the boundaries between them blur.

Design reflects broader cultural, social, and economic shifts. And over the past decade, the field itself has undergone change. Attention to context and holistic thinking have taken center stage, replacing the short-lived, headline-grabbing trends of the past. Women designers—active and independent—are a driving force behind this transformation.

Polish design on tour

Brussels marks the third stop on the exhibition’s European journey, which has been weaving through the continent over the past two years. Each edition of Looking Through Objects brings something new. This time, it features four fresh voices: Zuzanna Wójcik (textile), Aleksandra Żeromska (ceramics), Natasza Grześkiewicz (co-founder of studio There in Lisbon), and Alicja Strzyżyńska (studio Aoao, Amsterdam).

The exhibition aligns with a series of events at Design Museum Brussels dedicated to women in design. Past highlights include Here We Are, curated by Vitra Design Museum, and Untold Stories – Women Designers In Belgium 1880–1980.

The Belgian exhibition is co-organized with the Polish Institute in Brussels and is organised as an accompanying event of the Polish presidency of the Council of the European Union.

An international design project

More than just an exhibition, Looking Through Objects is part of a wider international initiative combining research and education. The project explores women’s contributions to design through museum and gallery presentations, as well as a series of accompanying events—talks, lectures, and designer meetups—under the umbrella of Design Stories.