One of the most prominent Polish artists of the 20th century, Magdalena Abakanowicz (1930-2017) is known for her large-scale sculpture installations - the so-called 'abakany.' These monumental works were often made using fabric hardened with resin, but she also used other traditional materials such as wood, metal and stone. Showered with accolades from many international art critics, her high profile public art installations can be seen in Poland (Poznań's Citadel Park), Italy, Israel, Japan, and the USA.

The National Museum in Wrocław possesses the largest collection of Abakanowicz's work in the world and this is the largest exhibit of her oeuvre that has ever been put on display. It comprises 53 pieces created by the artist, most of which are multi-element sets of works (in total 393 objects).