The opening of the exhibition of works by Bronisław Wolanin and Edward Roguszczak, held on 16 February 2018, was the third edition of the Bronisław Wolanin International Ceramics Masters Biennale held in Wałbrzych.
The exhibition presented approximately 80 works by both artists, from the collections of the Porcelain Museum in Wałbrzych, the E. Geppert Academy of Art and Design in Wrocław, Iwona Siewierska’s Unikat Foundation, the Museum of Ceramics in Bolesławiec, and the private collections of the artists’ families: Teresa and Anna Wolanin, as well as Elżbieta and Monika Roguszczak.
The soft and gentle lines of Bronisław Wolanin’s works were juxtaposed with Edward Roguszczak’s austere, monumental ceramic sculptures. These contrasts emphasized the individual, unique style of each artist, creating a harmonious whole in accordance with the principle of stylistic dichotomy.
The guests of honor—Teresa Wolanin and Elżbieta Roguszczak, the artists’ wives—were welcomed by Bolesławiec Mayor Piotr Roman and Anna Bober-Tubaj, director of the Museum of Ceramics. Iwona Siewierska, president of the board of the Unikat Foundation, and Jacek Drejer, director of the Porcelain Museum in Wałbrzych, spoke about the idea behind the Bronisław Wolanin International Ceramics Masters Biennale and the preparation of the exhibition. Helena Smoleńska, president of the board of the “Ceramika Artystyczna” Artistic Handicraft Cooperative, which also supported the publication of the exhibition catalogue, also spoke about Wolanin’s achievements.
Numerous guests attended the opening: Ariadna Sarnowicz, Prof. Mirosław Kociński, and Prof. Krzysztof Rozpondek—lecturers at the Academy of Art and Design in Wrocław; Elżbieta Grosseová—deputy president of the Czech Association of Ceramic Artists; Elżbieta Woźniewska—graphic artist; and employees of the Porcelain Museum in Wałbrzych: Jadwiga Kornecka-Cebula—curator in the Ceramics Department, Maria Solecka—head of the City and Region History Department, Jarosław Graniczny—curator in the City and Region History Department, and Oskar Pawlaczek—head of the Technical Department. Representatives of the “Ceramika Artystyczna” Artistic Handicraft Cooperative were also present: Małgorzata Wyspiańska-Gil—board member, and Mariusz Ochocki—chief designer and artistic director, as well as Krystyna Gay-Kutschenreiter—ceramic artist and longtime commissioner of the Bolesławiec International Ceramic and Sculpture Symposiums.
The exhibition can be viewed at the City History Department of the Museum of Ceramics on Kutuzowa Street until the end of April 2018.