Artist Residency: Draughtsman’s Contract – Rafał Żarski

In August 1694 Mrs. Herbert and a draughtsman named Mr. Neville, the characters of Peter Greenway’s film, signed a contract that included the following conditions: ‘Mr. Neville’s service as draughtsman for twelve days, for the manufacture of 12 drawings of the estate and gardens, parks and outlying buildings of Mr. Herbert’s Property. The sites of the twelve drawings to be chosen at his discretion, though advised by Mrs. Herbert (…)”.

Arsenal Gallery is located in the city centre of Białystok (Poland), in a historic building of the Branicki Palace. Between 1691 and 1697 the Branicki Palace was reconstructed into a baroque mansion by Tylman Gamerski. Theoretically the Draughtsman’s Contract by Greenaway could happen exactly here. In relation to the famous work of the British director and the context of the place, the Arsenal Galllery has invited three artists to create an artwork/art project, where the Branicki Palace will be the main object of interest, the closest neighbourhood of the Arsenal Gallery.

In September, as part of artist residency the Draughtsman’s Contract we will host Rafał Żarski, who will carry out his project entitled ‘There is a Palace in the city centre’.