January 15 – February 7
The Diane de Polignac Gallery is honored to present the first solo exhibition in a French gallery of Maria Papa Rostkowska since her passing in 2008. This exceptional event was made possible through the collaboration of Nicolas Rostkowski, the artist’s son, and his wife Joëlle Rostkowski.
This exhibition, accompanied by a catalogue, invites to a rediscovery of the golden age of Albisola, a vibrant period spanning from the mid-1950s to the mid-1960s. Albisola was then a privileged meeting place for numerous artists who experimented with terracotta there, particularly around the futurist artist Tullio Mazzotti. We have chosen to highlight the artistic ties and friendship between Maria Papa Rostkowska and Wifredo Lam, who collaborated there during their stay.
While bronze and terracotta marked Maria Papa Rostkowska’s introduction to the world of sculpture, she definitively turned to marble in 1965. A virtuoso in direct carving sculpture, Maria Papa Rostkowska is recognized for the softness of her marble works. Fifteen of these sculptures, most of which have never been exhibited before, make up a unique selection.
This exhibition celebrates the extraordinary talent of a remarkable artist. The sensitivity and softness of her marble sculptures contrast with the harshness of her personal journey. Maria Papa Rostkowska, throughout the conflicts of the second half of the 20th century, worked tirelessly to leave behind a sensitive and deeply personal body of work.
