review

XXI Century Polish Sculpture On Auction Ten beautiful sculptures are going under the hammer

Ten beautiful sculptures are going under the hammer on 1 December at Sopocki Dom Aukcyjny – department in Bydgoszcz. Why not to join in the bidding and buy a great gift for Christmas? The asking price of all objects is less than 500 GBP (2400 PLN).

Bruno Althamer, Santa Muerte, 33 x 46 cm, ceramic, wood, plastic

Bruno Althamer, Santa Muerte, 33 x 46 cm, ceramic, wood, plastic

1.  Bruno Althamer (b. 1988 Warsaw), Santa Muerte, 33 x 46 cm, ceramic, wood, plastic

Sculptor, cartoonist, and illustrator. A graduate of the Faculty of Sculpture at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw.

In his works, Bruno Althamer looks for a broad historical context, because in his opinion the sculptor’s role is to create a snapshot of our reality – a picture that will reflect our times for generations to come. He believes that a sculpture can be a wooden figure, a movie, a naked woman, or even a sound or smell. However, the choice of technique should be justified and, above all, deliberate.

The sculpture presented at the auction is an allegorical representation of death. Santa Muerte, or Holy Death, is the figure in a strongly developing cult in Latin America, whose connections reach Aztec culture. Santissima Muerte Day is celebrated on the first of November, just like in Poland.

The ceramics were formed using the traditional Japanese method of raku. The artist decorated it with artificial flowers from the area adjacent to the communal cemetery in Toruń. He collected the flowers personally while waiting for the workers to mount the monument, which installation he supervised. The collection of the flowers was undertaken with a deep reflection. The sculpture presents well outside as well as indoors. The presented sculpture is one of a kind.


Aleksandra Koper, Abstract Composition No. 35, cement mortar, patinated, 25 x 66 cm

Aleksandra Koper, Abstract Composition No. 35, cement mortar, patinated, 25 x 66 cm

2. Aleksandra Koper ( b. 1982), Abstract Composition No. 35, cement mortar, patinated, 25 x 66 cm

A sculptor who doesn’t shy away from using the grotesque. She studied sculpture at the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk. She earned her degree in sculpture and graphics at the Academy of Fine Arts in Łódź and is the creator of the sculpture “Konin” for the city of Konin. She participated in numerous group exhibitions and various artistic projects. Aleksandra Koper’s works in 2015 were presented to a wider audience during a group exhibition at the iCAN Gallery in Yogyakarta (Indonesia). Her creative attention focuses on the physical relationship with matter and the problem of the substantiality of the body. Fascinated by the treatment of the body as a material – an unpredictable and sensual material.

The work presented at the auction belongs to the series of realistic sculptures that refer to the greatest figures and motifs from the world of art history. Abstract Composition No. 35 refers to mythology – the figure of Athena, a warrior woman of incredible strength and intellect. In this series, Aleksandra Koper deliberately gives such abstract titles to her works, showing that she can also joke about herself – she’s a postmodernist artist – a contemporary sculptor who is fascinated by classical themes.


Stanisław Kośmiński, Istota/ Being, ash wood, copper, 46 x 25,5 x 8,5 cm

Stanisław Kośmiński, Istota/ Being, ash wood, copper, 46 x 25,5 x 8,5 cm

3. Stanisław Kośmiński (b. 1987 Zakopane), Being, ash wood, copper, 46 x 25,5 x 8,5 cm

A graduate of the A. Kenara State High School of Fine Arts in Zakopane. In 2013 he graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts at the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń. He earned his doctorate at his alma mater and is currently an assistant at the Sculpture Department. Stanisław Kośmiński’s work was presented at several individual and collective exhibitions. The artist has been recognised many times and awarded several scholarships.

Stanisław Kośmiński works mainly with wood, both in small sculptural forms and a few metre-long realisations. He uses various species of wood, combines them with other materials, and reveals the natural values of the material, such as colour, grain layout, and texture. He emphasises the importance of sculptures’ titles for their interpretation.


Marcin Smosna), Internal Dispute III, 2018, polymeric plaster, steel, 62 x 34 x 30 cm, signed: M. SMOSNA

Marcin Smosna), Internal Dispute III, 2018, polymeric plaster, steel, 62 x 34 x 30 cm, signed: M. SMOSNA

4. Marcin Smosna (b. 1990 Jelenia Góra), Internal Dispute III, 2018, polymeric plaster,  steel, 62 x 34 x 30 cm, signed: M. SMOSNA

An artist specialising in sculpture, small forms, and drawing. A graduate of the Secondary Arts School in Jelenia Góra. In 2010-2015 he studied at the Sculpture Department of the Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow. He earned his diploma, with honours, in the studio of prof. Karol Badyna. Currently, he is completing postgraduate studies at his alma mater and has been an assistant from 2016 in a workshop, led by prof. Karol Badina. The artist took part in over 25 group exhibitions. The sculpture of the artist “Female Nude” was purchased by MEAM (Museu Europe d’Art Modern) in Barcelona.


Adam Cieślak, from Object series 2014, metal, 108 x 48,5 cm, signed: Adam Cieślak 18A03C03 2014

Adam Cieślak, from Object series 2014, metal, 108 x 48,5 cm, signed: Adam Cieślak 18A03C03 2014

5. Adam Cieślak (b. 1981 Olsztyn), from Object series 2014, metal, 108 x 48,5 cm, signed: Adam Cieślak 18A03C03 2014

Sculptor specialising in figurative and conceptual sculpture. A graduate of Sculpture at the Faculty of Fine Arts of the Nicolaus Copernicus University (UMK) in Toruń, he obtained his degree in 2007. He studied in the studio of prof. Maciej Szańkowski and UMK prof. Krzysztof Mazur. Teacher at the State High School in Olsztyn. He runs sculptural and drawing workshops as well as many other educational and artistic activities. A member of the Warmian-Masurian artistic association “Art and the Environment”.

In his work, the artist combines the means of expression characteristic of sculpture, painting and even drawing. Adam Cieślak’s installations include site-specific installations, examples of outdoor works, nudes and portraits, as well as objects of applied art.


Mariusz Dydo, Shunga Dogs Alfa – Alfa 2018, glazed ceramic, 35 x 26,5 x 25 cm, signed

Mariusz Dydo, Shunga Dogs Alfa – Alfa 2018, glazed ceramic, 35 x 26,5 x 25 cm, signed

6. Mariusz Dydo (b. 1979 Tarnów), Shunga Dogs Alfa – Alfa 2018, glazed ceramic, 35 x 26,5 x 25 cm, signed

Sculptor, designer. He obtained a diploma in 2004 in the studio of Jerzy Nowakowski at the Faculty of Sculpture at the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow.

The sculpture is part of AiRT Condition – one of the three main trends in the works of Mariusz Dydo. The Shunga Dogs series was inspired by Japanese ukiyo-e woodcut printings, the golden period of which falls on the Edo period.

Mariusz Dydo in a characteristic way combined the fascination of tradition with pop culture.


Dominik Wdowski, Sphere, acrylic resin, shellac, 38 x 74 cm, signed

Dominik Wdowski, Sphere, acrylic resin, shellac, 38 x 74 cm, signed

7. Dominik Wdowski (b. 1979 Radom), Sphere, acrylic resin, shellac, 38 x 74 cm, signed

Wdowski graduated from the Faculty of Sculpture at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw. He earned his diploma in 2004. He has been commissioned for several monumental works, including the decoration of the facade of the Radom Cathedral, sculptures for the concert hall of the Philharmonic and Opera in Bialystok, and the monument of John Paul II in Rome at Prima Porta.


Paweł Otwinowski, Wracając od Ewy, cast iron, 12,5 x 11 x 44 cm

Paweł Otwinowski, Wracając od Ewy, cast iron, 12,5 x 11 x 44 cm

8. Paweł Otwinowski (b. 1981 Braniewo), ‘Coming back to Eva’, cast iron, 12,5 x 11 x 44 cm

Sculptor, photographer, and educator. A member of the Open Artistic Association. A graduate of Ethnology at the History Department of the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń. Currently, he teaches classes in sculpture and new sculptural techniques at his alma mater.

Paweł Otwinowski seeks inspiration from the duality of nature, as well as in observing the human body. In his work, he draws from various fields of art such as photography, theatre and sculpture, which he processes and unifies. Most important for him is the use of his own experiences and observations.


Krzysztof Pawłowski, Shame, 2018, portuguese marble, 13,5 x 13,5 x 70 cm, signed: K. Pawłowski 2018

Krzysztof Pawłowski, Shame, 2018, portuguese marble, 13,5 x 13,5 x 70 cm, signed: K. Pawłowski 2018

9. Krzysztof Pawłowski (b. 1957 Warsaw), Shame,  2018, portuguese marble, 13,5 x 13,5 x 70 cm, signed: K. Pawłowski 2018

A sculptor who works in various types of stone. For a few months in 1978, he lived in Vienna, and a year later he emigrated to Seattle, where he gained popularity and critical acclaim thanks to his work. In 2006, a sense of accomplishment in the United States and constant nostalgia for his homeland, allowed Pawłowski to return to Poland.

Krzysztof Pawłowski’s trip to Alaska, and the local art he saw there had a great impact on his work. All the artist’s works are unique and reflect the emotions and impressions that accompanied the sculptor during the act of creation.

Pawłowski’s sculptures are in art galleries and private collections from California to Washington, Idaho, Colorado and Arizona.


Roman Solski (b.1957 Łódź), Cubist horse, bronze, granite, 40,5 x 20 x 17 cm

Roman Solski, Cubist horse, bronze, granite, 40,5 x 20 x 17 cm

10. Roman Solski (b.1957 Łódź), Cubist horse, bronze, granite, 40,5 x 20 x 17 cm

A sculptor, whose main theme is the synthesis of the female nude. A graduate of the State High School of Fine Arts in Łódź. In the years 1977-1982 he studied at the Faculty of Sculpture at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, in the studio of prof. Stanisław Kulon and prof. Tadeusz Łodziana. He received a diploma in 1983 under the supervision of prof. Tadeusz Łodziana, and studied painting under the direction of prof. Ludwik Maciąg. Sculpture lecturer at the State High School of Visual Arts in Łódź and the School of Theater and Film Techniques.

Asking price from 2400 PLN

Edited by Contemporary Lynx

Return to the homepage

This might interest you