Summary of Iwona Tamborska’s 3 exhibitions as part of the “Rock, Paper, Scissors” project by Jaga Hupało, Mountains of Literature 2026

“Mountains of Literature” Festival 2026, Olga Tokarczuk Foundation https://fundacjaolgitokarczuk.org/en/aktualnosci/mountains-of-literature-festival/

Thanks to Jaga Hupało’s invitation to participate in her “Rock Paper Scissors” project, I had the honor of presenting my work (as a representative of the “Rock” section) in three locations during the 2026 “Mountains of Literature” Festival. The festival is incredibly rich and expansive, encompassing numerous events taking place simultaneously in many locations across Lower Silesia in Poland.My participation was just a drop in the ocean, but it was also a great joy and honor for me.

These 3 exhibitions in 3 locations took place over 3 days. It was a very intense time, requiring me to be perfectly prepared for every situation, act quickly, and demonstrate great mental and physical resilience. Each time, I entered a space I had never seen before, and I never fully knew what awaited me. Therefore, I dedicated the time leading up to the exhibition to building a system of portable displays with an independent lighting system adapted to display silver jewelry in its true color. As usual, I traveled with photographs resembling works by Renaissance masters by Margo Skwara https://www.margoskwara.com/

Now I invite you to look through the photos and videos from these three exhibitions, because each one brought with it a completely different aesthetic context, a completely different set of accompanying events and charming surprises.

Day 1

14 July 2026, Opolnica, Poland – “The Refuge of Art” (“Ostoja Sztuki”) Jaga Hupało’s 

My first exhibition took place at Jaga Hupało’s “The Refuge of Art”/”Ostoja Sztuki” in Opolnica, Poland. Just being in this space was a feast for the senses, as Jaga herself had built the place with her hands, heart, and imagination. Consequently, amidst the natural greenery, with its almost architectural shapes, rose sculptures, glass conservatories, wooden piers, old brick buildings filled with paintings and artistic installations, and this beautiful black fabric tent, allowing for coexistence amidst nature- which became an element of art. It became my exhibition space because of the TABLE. And this table, made of the breathtaking root of a huge tree and a pane of glass, created the impression of an altar. On it, I presented my beloved silver children.

And one of these extraordinary guests was one of the most outstanding contemporary writers, winner of the 2018 Nobel Prize in Literature and the prestigious Man Booker International Prize 2018 – Olga Tokarczuk.

I’m surprised and delighted, because I didn’t expect to encounter such warm and engaging interest from Ms. Tokarczuk in the stories about my artworks. I know how many people were waiting for her, I know that everyone wanted at least a little of her attention, so I’m incredibly grateful for this meeting and for the time she dedicated to me. Below are some photos from our meeting, which also feature Jaga Hupało and Monika Osiecka, among others. I also thank you all immensely for your kindness and mindfulness.

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During this presentation of Jaga Hupało’s “Rock Paper Scissors” project, my exhibition also premiered the work “Sub Rosa.” To fully understand it, it’s essential to connect the brooch’s history with Leonardo da Vinci’s painting “The Last Supper.” That’s why I brought the painting noticeable in the photo. It’s my interpretation, inspired by Leonardo’s masterpiece, and I’ve been working on for two years now.

“Sub rosa” is a Latin expression meaning secret, confidentiality. The rose itself is an ancient symbol of secrecy. The concept also appears in Dan Brown’s novel “The Da Vinci Code,” where it signified sacred femininity and the “great secret.” This secret was the love between Jesus and Mary Magdalene and the fact that she was supposed to be pregnant. According to the book’s author, da Vinci deliberately placed Mary Magdalene next to Jesus in the painting “The Last Supper,” not St. John—subtly depicting their love and the mystery of this great union.

The silver rose brooch alludes to this very secret of hidden love. At first glance, it appears to be just a beautiful flower sculpture, drawing the eye to the center, where the rubies are located. But these are meant to distract from the true mystery—the secret love between one of the petals and one of the rose’s leaves, which are kissing. To learn more about this work, please visit the link. https://rekamistworzone.com/en/produkt/secret-love-brooch/

At Jaga Hupało’s “Ostoja Sztuki” (Art Refuge), this installation had a beautiful form of exhibition, as this fantastic table made of tree roots belonged to Jaga herself. It gave the work “Sub Rosa” an almost sacred character in the company of my painting.

One of the sculptures I created especially for this exhibition is this clay female silhouette, finished with crystals. It is dedicated to the “Heart of Medusa” necklace. The necklace tells the story of a woman who, in love, gives her heart and trusts that the recipient will take care of her rainbow spark. This rainbow spark is symbolized by the opal in the heart of the titular Medusa. The necklace itself is composed to form a rib cage made of crystal ribs and a sternum, which is visible when placed on a sculpture (or a human body). In this case, Medusa’s heart is also the heart of the woman wearing the necklace. I encourage those interested to learn more about the necklace’s history here https://rekamistworzone.com/en/produkt/the-heart-of-medusa/  

Day 2

15 July 2026 – Ludwikowice Kłodzkie, Poland, “Ludwikowice Gallery”

“An exhibition of Iwona Tamborska’s goldsmithing art as part of Jaga Hupało’s “Rock Paper Scissors” project, combined with a ballet performance by Ines Peryt dancing in silver jewelry (necklace and hairpin) by Iwona Tamborska and a paper tutu by Anna Peryt. The exhibition took place at the “Ludwikowice Gallery” in Ludwikowice Kłodzkie, Poland, on July 15, 2026, as one of the events of the “Mountains of Literature” Festival of the Olga Tokarczuk Foundation.”

The second exhibition took place at the “Ludwikowice Gallery” in Ludwikowice Kłodzkie, Poland. This gallery, a deconsecrated church, possesses a unique “spirit of place”. The entire, extensive space is white. Only the windows are decorated with colorful stained glass, through which, on the day of the exhibition, rainbow light streamed in, reflecting on the glass surfaces of the displays and the marble floor. A white, translucent fabric by Aleksandra Herbowska-Matera hung on the former altar. Paintings by artists invited by Jaga to participate in her “Rock Paper Scissors” project were hung on the walls.

The two of us managed to quickly clear the space of unnecessary furniture, arrange display cases, and arrange the gallery in a way that maintained the openness of the space, its natural breathing, and ensured that the works of goldsmithing art could coexist with dignity alongside the performance that opened the event – ​​a ballet by Ines Peryt. She is a young ballet dancer of Polish descent living in Switzerland who flew in especially to celebrate the exhibition opening with her dance.  

Ines wore a paper tutu made by Anna Peryt, making her look like a work of art, fitting Jaga’s “Rock, Paper, Scissors” concept. She also wore a white silk necklace with a silver butterfly and a matching hair clip (my artworks). I was working on the jewelry Ines would wear, I rather intuitively wanted to keep the butterflies white. Anna Peryt worked on the paper tutu in the same way. Neither of us knew what the gallery interior would look like. Once there, it turned out that everything coordinated perfectly—Ines’s white outfit, the white silver, the white tutu, the white interior of the church-gallery.

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Ines looked like a bird of paradise while dancing, a revelation in fact. I realized then that ballet, like the art of goldsmithing, are two art forms that are currently dying. We all succumb to its magical charm when we can experience it. But this happens as rarely as encountering a rare bird of paradise. It is so, unfortunately, because in today’s capitalist, digitalized, and fast-paced world, these two art forms (provided they are practiced in a way that strives for artistry and perfection) are slowly losing their right, space, and opportunity to exist.

Below is a video excerpt from the event, posted on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/iwonatmb/

Because Ines herself looked like a work of art, I took the liberty of photographing her as if she belonged to the same world as my silver treasures. Peered from behind the glass domes, she looked like a porcelain doll come to life.

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Below are recordings of three of Ines’ performances during this event on July 15, 2026.
 

 

The following performance by Ines Peryt takes place against the background of Aleksandra Herbowska-Matera’s artwork, to an audio-visual piece also taking part in the “Rock Paper Scissors” project by Jaga Hupało.

Day 3

16 July 2026 Złoty Stok, Poland; restaurant by the “Gold Mine”

“Exhibition of Iwona Tamborska’s goldsmithing art as part of Jaga Hupało’s “Rock Paper Scissors” project, combined with a performance and fashion show (“Odiotees”) at the Gold Mine. The event took place on July 16, 2026 in Złoty Stok, Poland, on the premises of the Gold Mine, as one of the attractions of the 2026 “Mountain of Literature Festival” organized by the Olga Tokarczuk Foundation. Ines Peryt (ballerina) participated in the event as a dancer, and models included Zofia Czernicka and Barbara Siatkowska.”

On the third day, the “Kuźnia Smaku” restaurant, part of the Złoty Stok Gold Mine complex, became the “exhibition stage.” With the help of the incomparable “Gastronomy Princesses,” we quickly transformed the highland-style restaurant into a dark, mysterious exhibition space that flaunted precious treasures.

A performance based on Jaga Hupało’s project, “Rock Paper Scissors,” took place at the Gold Mine, along with a fashion show and a ballet performance by Ines Peryt. I also contributed a bit to this event, as part of the performance took place between my exhibition.

 

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A video fragment from the event published on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/iwonatmb/

To those who visited my one-day exhibitions during the “Mountains of Literature” festival- I sincerely thank you for your time and attentiveness. It was a great pleasure to chat with you.

To those who weren’t there in person but viewed the films and photo reports, I am also very grateful.

 Finally, I would like to thank Jaga Hupało once again for inviting me to participate in this wonderful endeavor. I am impressed by your sense of beauty, your leadership, and the way you treat every artist participating in your projects with respect, attention, and warmth.