A Fusion of Two Worlds: "Atoms" at Fijewski Gallery
Monika Osiecka: The Sculptor Beyond Borders
Born in Milan, Osiecka spent her formative years in Italy and Tehran, where she first fell in love with stone. "Stone in Italy and Iran is friendly, warm, and omnipresent,” remarks the artist. Osiecka, initially engaged in studies of Italian and Persian philology, eventually surrendered to her passion for art, especially sculpture, graduating from the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw under the guidance of Grzegorz Kowalski.
She is not just a sculptor but a multifaceted artist - a writer, a photographer, and a creator who bridges two worlds. Her figurative and abstract sculptures are testimonies to her versatility, predominantly working in stone but later exploring bronze due to the practical limitations of outdoor stone sculpting in Poland.
Her accolades include the victorious sculpture in Normandy commemorating General Maczek's triumphant battle, the statue 'Ola' at Kora Jackowska's grave, and the monument dedicated to the Women of the Warsaw Uprising in Krasińskich square.
Her literary contribution is no less notable, with her book "Fragmenty lustra" reflecting a poetic and intimate record of artistic self-awareness and female experiences.
"Atomy" Exhibition: A Deep Dive into Osiecka's Artistry
The exhibition showcases various series, reflecting Osiecka's journey:
- MARMURY/ALABASTRY Series: Comprising of 6 abstract spindle-shaped sculptures, the epitome of Osiecka’s abstract work.
- Unique pieces like 'Pusta' and 'Transition' are profound emotional records and convey the artist’s innovative use of stone as an artistic medium.
- Seria Koła zębate, turbiny Series: Carved from alabasters, these sculptures not only respect the history of each block but also allude to human emotions and relationships.
- Lago d’lseo, a soft pink alabaster from Spain, represents her first figurative sculpture in stone. Made without a model, drawing, or sketches, it showcases her mastery and ability to elicit a form full of delicacy and sensual charge from the stone.
- And then, there's the bronzes. The 'Ola' series, inspired by a photograph she saw in Ralph Lauren's flagship store in London, and the 'Balet' series, a homage to ballet, featuring statues that the prima ballerina of the National Ballet of Warsaw, Natalia Wojciechowska, posed for.
In the words of the curator, Prof. Dr. hab. Jan Wiktor Sienkiewicz, Monika is undeniably a “total artist, whose work and life mutually permeate and complement.” Her art is not just a reflection of her strong personal connection with the creative material, especially stone, but is also a record of her emotional states, feelings, and private life.
This exhibition, inaugurating the series "Polish Art in the World/World Art in Fijewski Gallery", is not just a tribute to Osiecka’s unmatched talent but also a testament to Fijewski Gallery's dedication to celebrating the rich tapestry of Polish art and its influences across borders.
Figurative sculpture, the female body and figure have become for Monika Osiecka ‘a direct tool for studying the semantics of feminity, and her own work has become a form of self-discovery, a method of self-exploration’. Abstraction and figuration are two poles; two worlds (...).
– Fragment of curatorial text
