The exhibition at Desa in Warsaw at Nowy Świat in November of 1983 was the first individual presentation of Anna Dąbrowska’s works. Recognition of such a respectable institution as Desa in the 1980s should be considered a significant commendation for a young photographer at the very beginning of her career.

Dąbrowska’s exhibition featured a series of portrait photographs of her friends and colleagues from punk community, e.g. Paweł “Kelner” (“Waiter”) Rozwadowski, a member of Fornit, Dexapolcort A, Deuter, Max and Kelner bands. The photographs show great intensity, they are often blurred, resonating with the dynamism and vitality of punk movement. Also, the artist focused on capturing the moods and emotions of photographed persons — rather than documenting their punk style (haircuts, apparel, adornments, jewelry, etc.) — which also seems to reflect accurately their distinctive personalities.

The edges of prints of the photographs, accordingly to the rules of punk style, are torn and rugged which gave them striking, irregular shapes. On the back of the photographs Dąbrowska placed drawings and collages that sometimes metaphorically and sometimes humorously refer to punks’ images (e.g. a note “18-year-olds’ decisions”) The self-ironic game between the frontside and the backside of the photographs may be interpreted also in a wider context of the contradiction between punk rebellion and a gallery space.

Selected works are available at Dąbrowska-Lyons’ website: https://adalyons.com/exhibition-at-desa-warsaw-1983/