Defabryka Warsaw hosts “Psyche”, a solo show by Monika Wanat. Portraits of wild animals beyond the human gaze. Opening 11 Sept 2025, curated by Izabela Rogala.

This autumn, Defabryka in Warsaw, Poland will host a unique encounter between art, science, and emotion. From 11 September to 19 October 2025, the venue will present a solo exhibition by Monika Wanat titled "Psyche", curated by Izabela Rogala. The opening reception will take place on 11 September at 7:00 PM. Art with Empathy – Giving Voice to Animals "Psyche" is more than just a photographic series – it’s a multidimensional project that Monika Wanat has been developing since 2014. Traveling across the globe, she documents the lives of wild animals with remarkable sensitivity. Her camera is not a tool of traditional wildlife documentation; it becomes a medium of empathy, through which the artist restores subjectivity to non-human beings. "I photograph animals the same way I would photograph people – not to anthropomorphize them, but to highlight their individuality," says Wanat. "Where there is care, there is love; where there is love, there is grief; where there is grief, there are feelings – and where there are feelings, there is a person." This way of thinking runs through the entire "Psyche" project. At its core lies an attempt to look at the world through the perspective of other species, beyond the dominant anthropocentric gaze. Wanat’s works are a visual manifesto – one of quietude, attentiveness, and deep respect for the emotional lives of other beings. Between Photography and Science Monika Wanat merges artistic intuition with scientific integrity – she is also a trained researcher, and her artistic projects lie at the intersection of humanities, biology, and ethology. A powerful example of this synergy is the photograph "Looking forward III" (2022), which captures the social dynamics of zebras. The image echoes recent scientific findings published in 2025, showing that climate change is reinforcing social bonds among these animals. Males, when meeting individuals from outside their group, engage in complex greeting rituals – a strategy of protection and shared survival. "Faced with climate shifts, zebras know how to cooperate – even if they’re not from the same herd. No declarations, no plans, no debates – they simply act together. That’s a lesson for us," Wanat adds. The exhibition offers many such stories – both poetic and grounded in scientific research. Each work invites the viewer to reflect on the human-nature relationship. An Artist in the Field Since 2014, Monika Wanat has visited over 30 countries on four continents – from Namibia and Tanzania, to Oman and Chile. Her photographs have received multiple awards in prestigious international competitions and have been exhibited in Poland and abroad. Despite the global reach of her work, the artist always focuses on micro-narratives – gestures, glances, and emotions that are often overlooked in the rush of daily life. "‘Psyche’ is a project that demonstrates how other species not only think and feel but also build complex social relationships. It’s a story about a world where coexistence matters more than dominance" says curator Izabela Rogala. An Exhibition That Shifts Perspectives The "Psyche" exhibition at Defabryka is more than a showcase of beautiful photography. It is an invitation to a conversation – about ethics, responsibility, and humanity’s place in the natural world. The artist poses important questions: Can we still listen to other beings? Are we willing to change how we look at the world? With the power of image, depth of message, and exceptional sensitivity, Monika Wanat’s project becomes a compelling voice in the discourse on wildlife conservation and the urgent need to redefine our relationship with nature. EXHIBITION DETAILS Title: Psyche Artist: Monika Wanat Curator: Izabela Rogala Opening: 11 September 2025, 7:00 PM Duration: 11 September – 19 October 2025 Venue: Defabryka, ul. Duchnicka 3, Warsaw, Poland Website: www.monikawanat.com Honorary Patronage: Embassy of Namibia accredited to Poland, Marshal of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship Media Patronage: TVP Kultura, Art in Warsaw, NiezlaSztuka.net, Gazeta Żoliborza