Theater

The Amsterdam Storytelling Festival is very honored and grateful that the WM Gallery supports us with the impressive work of artist Maurycy Gomulicki, who had the courage to photograph convicts and members of git culture in Poland. Man that were so brave to design themselves with tattoos full of stories. Please, look around and soak in their stories.

Dziary/Tats by Maurycy Gomulicki

The photo series Dziary/Tats is a look into the visual language of tattoos within Poland's git subculture, a criminal underclass that has existed since before the Second World War, but has now all but died out. Known among themselves as git-ludzie or “goodfellas,” these men and women built a subculture based on loyalty, defiance, and a fierce sense of independence. The term git comes from the Yiddish word for "good," and reflects the group’s code of respect and allegiance within their own community. Git culture is rooted in the Polish prison system, where a specific slang known as grypsera developed—a vocabulary and style of speech that’s as unique as the tattoos marking their skin. Grypsera, once a means of covert communication, eventually grew into a proud identifier for those living on the fringes of society.

The tattoos in this series, often roughly etched in prison using makeshift tools and improvised ink, are symbols of belonging, defiance, and personal history. They were usually inked in harsh conditions, and the designs often reflect themes like hardship, love, hate, sex and loyalty. Tattoos on a git member’s body act like a map, a record of their struggles, relationships, fantasies and experiences within this world of rebellion and survival.

This raw and honest series was captured by artist Maurycy Gomulicki. Known more for his colourful work on pop culture and the culture of pleasure, Gomulicki took a different path with Dziary/Tats, turning his camera towards those on the edges of Polish society. Travelling around the country, he approached former convicts and members of git culture with sensitivity and respect, collecting their stories and documenting their tattoos. While Gomulicki’s usual work celebrates sexuality, joy and vibrancy, Dziary explores themes of endurance, pride, and identity in a community that often goes unseen. Gomulicki’s background as an artist-anthropologist lends depth to this series, capturing not only images but the complex lives and stories of those who wear their history on their skin.

Gallery WM
Gallery WM in Amsterdam is a photography gallery showcasing a range of contemporary photographic works, from established photographers to emerging artists.  Curated by Sebastian Rypson, a cultural anthropologist in the field of contemporary art, the gallery offers an intimate, thoughtful approach to exhibiting visual narratives. Rypson, co-founder of aNTHROPOLOGISTS iN aRT, brings a nuanced understanding of cultural context to each exhibition, creating a platform where diverse artistic voices can engage with social themes.

From documentary-style projects to conceptual works, Gallery WM is committed to showcasing powerful photography that resonates both artistically and culturally. Through carefully curated shows, the gallery fosters a dialogue that extends beyond visual impact, inviting viewers to reflect on the stories behind each image. Situated in the vibrant art scene of Amsterdam, Gallery WM is a place where photography is celebrated not only as an art form but as a means of exploring human experience and cultural identity.