Collection

Tímea Junghaus is one of the visionary women fighting for recognition of Romani art and culture. She was the initiator and curator of the first Romani pavilion at the Venice Biennale in 2007, and is currently director of the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture in Berlin. This is one of dozens of portraits of contemporary women leaders of the Roma community prepared by Mirga-Tas as part of the project @52proposalsforthe20s, initiated by curator Maria Lind—a collection of artists’ visions of the upcoming decade of the 2020s. Mirga-Tas recognizes the increasing initiative of female Romani activists, whose work is changing engrained patterns in the perception of women’s roles in Romani society. Mirga-Tas’s broader aim is to combat stereotypes and exclusion, and to seek equal rights for the Roma through art.

Visual artist. Graduate of the Faculty of Sculpture at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków. She creates sculptures and patchworks from textiles and clothing, often coming from family and friends and reflecting their favourite apparel. The distinct technique of her work is characterized by eclectic, carefully selected materials and an unusual play of patterns and colours. In her work she presents individuals and historical events important for the Romani society, as well as scenes from the everyday life of her family and neighbours.

She is the organizer and curator of the Romani Art project and the annual International Event of Roma Art in Czarna Góra “Jaw Dikh!” (Come, see!) She is involved in combating exclusion and discrimination against the Romani as well as dispelling stereotypes through artistic actions. She took part in the 3^rd Art Encounters Biennial in Timișoara, Romania (2019) and the 11^th Berlin Biennale for Contemporary Art (2020). She lives and works in the village of Czarna Góra.