Jerzy Onuch

Jerzy Onuch is an artist, art curator, art educator, art administrator and diplomat. Born in Lublin, Poland. Lives and works in Toronto, Canada and Kyiv, Ukraine. Co-founder of the innovative and experimental gallery Pracownia Dziekanka in Warsaw devoted to experimental and contemporary art and supporting emerging artists. In his ten-year tenure (1976-86), he co-organized and curated some 70 exhibits and events. In 1986, Mr Onuch has moved to New York City and in 1987 he settled in Toronto where he continued to work in performance and installation art , curating and teaching.

From 1997 to 2005 Mr Onuch directed the Center for Contemporary Art (CCA), also known as Soros Center for Contemporary Art in Kyiv, Ukraine. During his tenure the CCA presented many Ukrainian and international artists, including: Andy Warhol, Joseph Beuys, Nam June Paik, Ilya Kabakov, Joseph Kosuth, Tony Ousler, Leon Tarasewicz, Jerzy Nowosielski, Tiberi Silvashi, Vasyl Bazhay, Arsen Savadov, Taras Polataiko, Boris Mikhailov, Serhiy Bratkov, Illya Chichkan, Andrij Sahaidakovskyi, Olexandr Roidburd, Oleg Kulik,  Masoch Fund, Viktor Marushchenko, Aleftyna Kakhidze, R.E.P. and many others. His tenure was one of the longest and most successful in the history of the center.

In 2001 Mr Onuch initiated the first Ukrainian presentation at the 49th Venice Biennale. In 2005 Mr Onuch joined the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and served as a First Counselor to the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Ukraine in Kyiv and Director of the Polish Institute. Between 2010 – 2014 Mr Onuch served as a Director of the Polish Cultural Institute in New York City, First Counselor to the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland.

He is currently a high profile consultant on cultural diplomacy and development of arts and culture policy and continues his work as a curator in international Contemporary Art events. At the Book Arsenal Festival, he curates the Obabich / On Both Sides exhibition.