For nearly 30 years, the Jerzy Stajuda Art Criticism Award has been an important distinction for those who write about art. After the artist’s death in 1992, the Award was established by his friends, who still form the award committee. Stajuda – painter, graphic artist, critic, music lover – was a prominent figure in Warsaw’s artistic community. Visual artists, composers, writers and actors used to meet in his flat in Wiejska Street. “He had a great personal charm, part of which was also that he was very modest, even shy. That’s why he felt more at ease when he took a shot. He was always ready to have some fun, have a nice laugh, do something offbeat” – recalls Ola Semenowicz, Jerzy Stajuda’s long-time partner, who talked to Karolina Zychowicz about the artist, their mutual relations, friendships and social life in the 1980s. This conversation opens the 32nd issue of the Zachęta Online Magazine devoted to privacy and intimacy.