Figures restless

From classical representations, through neo-expressionism, to abstract forms. The sculptures of outstanding artists from the collection of the Centre of Polish Sculpture in Orońsko, presented in the space of the Gardens of the Royal Castle in Warsaw, are an offer to go beyond the traditionally understood museum space and expand the experience of the reception of art. The artworks introduce into the Castle gardens a new set of meanings, and mark them with their individuality, providing visitors with an opportunity of a completely new contact with art through experiencing it in a new place, new scenery, and light. In this way, the gardens become an extension of the museum space, at the same time living with the rhythm of eternal laws of nature – according to the idea ‘Museum in harmony with nature’.

The exhibition Restless Figures is an opportunity to get familiar with a section of the leading Polish collection of contemporary sculpture from the holdings of the Centre of Polish Sculpture in Orońsko. The exhibition is based on a selection of works connected with the broadly-understood figuration, seen as an inexhaustible source of inspiration. The presented works illustrate the stylistic and formal transformations happening in the Polish sculpture since the 1960s to the present day. The exhibition showcases the artworks of excellent Polish artists, among others: of Barbara Zbrożyna, Zofia Woźna, Jerzy Jarnuszkiewicz, Alfons Karny, Tadeusz Łodziana, Adolf Ryszka, Gustaw Zemła and Adam Myjak.

The Centre of Polish Sculpture in Orońsko is the only sculpture centre in Poland. It has been building a representative collection of Polish sculpture for over forty years, placing special emphasis on the works created in the second half of the 20^th century and in our times. The collection encompasses works of contemporary sculpture created by Polish and foreign artists with all their ideological, formal and material diversity. At present, the collection consisting of sculptures, objects and installations boasts over 2,000 holdings. Most of them come from the postwar period, although you can also find here works from the beginning of the 20^th century, for instance sculptures of Konstanty Laszczka, Wacław Szymanowski or Stanisław Ostrowski, as well as from the interwar period, made by e.g. Katarzyna Kobro, Olga Niewska, Jacek Puget and August Zamoyski. What constitutes a significant part of the collection is the works representing the latest chapter of the history of Polish sculpture, especially those created in recent years, primarily by the young generation of artists. Thanks to the Young Triennial organized by the Centre for three decades, they have had a chance for their artistic debut.