Zofia Rydet’s “Sociological Record” at The Photographers’ Gallery in London – Opening in October

From 10 October, The Photographers’ Gallery in London will host “Sociological Record” exhibition, a photographic project by Polish artist Zofia Rydet. “Sociological Record” is a comprehensive documentation of everyday life in Polish homes, spanning different decades, regions, and customs. This monumental work is considered one of the most significant achievements of 20th-century Polish photography. It has previously been exhibited at prestigious venues such as MoMA and the International Center of Photography in New York, the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago.

The exhibition is part of the UK/Poland Season 2025, running until November, and is co-organised by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, the British Council, and the Polish Cultural Institute in London, with the support from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland.

Zofia Rydet and Her “Sociological Record” – A Masterpiece of Polish Documentary Photography

– Zofia Rydet’s “Sociological Record” is not only an extraordinary documentation of everyday life in Poland, but also one of the most important projects in the history of Polish photography. Rydet devoted herself to this undertaking with remarkable consistency and passion. The photographer once said that even if her photographs do not survive as works of art, she hopes they will remain as a record of times gone by. I am therefore very pleased that, as part of UK/Poland Season 2025, we can present this work at the prestigious The Photographers’ Gallery, giving an international audience the opportunity to discover the world captured by Zofia Rydet – both in artistic and documentary terms – says Olga Brzezińska, Deputy Director of the Adam Mickiewicz Institute.

In 1978, at the age of 67, Zofia Rydet embarked on an ambitious project: she set out to photograph the interior of “every” Polish home. Her aim was to capture everyday life and portray ordinary, often overlooked people – primarily rural residents, but also city dwellers. Over time, the project became almost an obsession, and Rydet documented the worlds and people she encountered with remarkable consistency.

She travelled to her subjects’ homes by bus or with the help of friends who drove her. Arriving unannounced, she would knock on doors and, with a warm smile, invite the occupants to participate in her project. Thanks to her newly purchased wide-angle lens and flash, she was able to photograph often dimly lit interiors and their inhabitants with striking clarity. Those portrayed were instructed not to smile and to look directly into the lens. 

“Women on Doorsteps” and Other Series – A Photographic Journey Through Polish Homes of the 1970s and 1980s

As the project developed, the artist began to organise Sociological Record into individual series, including “Women on the Threshold”, “Professions”, “Ordinary People”, “Windows”, “Houses”, and “TV Sets”. Over time, more philosophical themes also emerged. One example is “Presence”, referring to images of Pope John Paul II – who began his pontificate in 1978, the same year Rydet’s project began – which became common in Polish homes. Another is the series “Private Mythologies”, focusing on the role of family photographs in the home, where hand-painted wedding portraits were often the only decoration. 

Rydet revisited the same homes and subjects many times, allowing her to observe changes not only in her own creative path but, above all, in the lives of the people she captured. In total, she created over 20,000 images, many of which were never developed. She continued the project until 1990 and passed away seven years later at the age of 86. 

Unique Prints from the Polish Artist’s Home Darkroom on Display in London

This exhibition marks the first comprehensive presentation of Zofia Rydet’s “Sociological Record” in the United Kingdom. It highlights rare prints made by the artist in her home darkroom, including the significant series “People in Interiors” and sub-series such as “Women on the Threshold” and “Presence”. Archival materials will also be on display, alongside Andrzej Różycki’s 1989 documentary film Nieskończoność dalekich dróg. Podsłuchane i podejrzane. Zofia Rydet A.D. 1989, as well as documentary portraits of Rydet at work by photographer Anna Beata Bohdziewicz.

Zofia Rydet’s “Sociological Record” exhibition in London

• Date: October 10th 2025 – February 22nd 2026

• Place: The Photographer’s Gallery, 16-18 Ramillies St, London W1F 7LW, UK

• Curatorial team: Clare Grafik, Karol Hordziej

• Partners: Adam Mickiewicz Institute, Zofia Rydet Foundation

• More information: thephotographersgallery.org.uk

• The exhibition is accompanied by a new catalogue in English, featuring texts by Zofia Rydet and 100 photographs from Sociological Record. This is a joint project of The Photographers’ Gallery and Palm* Studios, with support from the Adam Mickiewicz Institute. The selection of photographs is based on Wojciech Nowicki’s edition in the book Zofia Rydet. Zapis (Museum in Gliwice, 2016).

  • Editors: exhibition curators Clare Grafik and Karol Hordziej
  • Production: Lola Paprocka
  • Design: Brian Kanagaki / Kanagaki Studio. 

Exhibition as Part of the UK/Poland Season 2025

UK/Poland Season 2025 is a cultural programme of unprecedented scale, featuring several dozen events across multiple cities in both Poland and the UK. Running until November 2025, the season marks a new chapter in bilateral cooperation, revitalising cultural dialogue and strengthening existing ties between the two countries. For residents of both countries, it offers a unique opportunity to explore the most exciting artistic phenomena from both sides – encompassing film, theatre, visual arts, design, and music. In Poland, the events are organised by the British Council, while in the UK – by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, the Polish Cultural Institute, and the British Council. The organisation of the Season in the UK and Northern Ireland is supported by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Poland. 

About Zofia Rydet

Zofia Rydet was born in 1911 in Stanisławów. After the Soviet and German occupations during World War II, her family fled to Poland within its new borders, settling first in Rabka and later in Bytom, Upper Silesia. In 1954, Rydet became one of the few female members of the Gliwice Photographic Society. She moved in avant-garde photography circles, taught photography, and submitted her work to national and international competitions.

Her artistic career developed in many directions, including the groundbreaking series and photobook Little Man, created from numerous photographs of children taken in Poland and abroad. These works emphasised a humanistic approach to documentary photography and explored the complexity of childhood experiences. Another significant project was the surreal collage series The World of Feelings and Imagination, an important stage in her expressive work. Rydet’s final and largest project was Sociological Record. 

The Photographers’ Gallery

The Photographers’ Gallery explores how photography connects people, captivates audiences, and transforms the contemporary world. Its programme includes exhibitions, lectures, workshops, and digital activities. The institution also operates a shop and a café. Outside the building, in the Soho Photography Quarter, the latest achievements in photography are displayed free of charge, 24 hours a day. 

The Zofia Rydet Foundation

The Zofia Rydet Foundation was established in 2011 by the artist’s family. It is dedicated to preserving, researching, and digitising four decades of her work, as well as promoting her legacy in Poland and internationally.