Several months have passed since the exhibition of sculptures created in 2023 during the 59th International Ceramic and Sculpture Symposium in Bolesławiec. As every year, the event brought together artists from various parts of the world, who spent several weeks creating, experimenting and exchanging experiences in the welcoming surroundings of Bolesławiec’s factories.
The 59th edition attracted artists from Poland, Ukraine, Belarus, the Czech Republic and Georgia. Among them were both experienced artists and young talents. Working with clay—a capricious but beautiful material—they faced unpredictable firing processes while creating unique works. The symposium is not only about work, however—it is also about inspiring meetings, exhibitions and unforgettable evenings filled with conversations about art.
The sculptures were shown in August 2024 during an exhibition at a cultural centre. See for yourselves what the artists prepared.
Introduction to the catalogue
It is November 2023, and two and a half months have passed since the end of the 59th International Ceramic and Sculpture Symposium, which ran from 31 July to 25 August in Bolesławiec. So, allowing myself a moment to catch my breath, I distanced myself from my thoughts and returned to memories, reflections and an attempt to summarise this year’s event. As in previous years, the organisers endeavoured to rise to the occasion and provide the invited guests with the most comfortable living conditions possible, enable them to work creatively in the friendly factories of Bolesławiec, and include a range of accompanying events in the symposium schedule. Above all, however, we wanted to organise a creative meeting integrating foreign and Polish artists and create a friendly, warm atmosphere.
This year’s symposium was honoured by the presence of four artists from abroad: Mania Dunaiska (Ukraine), Hanna Miadzvedzeva (Belarus), Andrej Nemeth (Czech Republic), Irina Toronjadze (Georgia), as well as five artists from Poland: Natalia Dzidowska, Magdalena Kowalewska, Łukasz Orfiniak, professor at the Academy of Fine Arts in Wrocław—Krzysztof Rozpondek—and Andrzej Wajda, a student at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków. A major advantage of the Bolesławiec symposiums is the opportunity to pursue one’s own creative inspirations in production conditions. The artists worked with great dedication, often struggling with the capricious properties of the material and not always predictable firing processes. True ceramics is poetically called “the art of fire”—beauty enclosed in a shell, created through the combination of human abilities with the elements of earth, water and fire.
Three outstanding ceramic factories in Bolesławiec offered our artists their hospitality and workspaces: “Ceramika Artystyczna” Artistic Handicraft Cooperative in Bolesławiec, Zakłady Ceramiczne “BOLESŁAWIEC” Ltd. in Bolesławiec, and “Manufaktura” in Bolesławiec. The management and staff of these factories deserve recognition and heartfelt thanks for their understanding, kindness towards the artists and all their assistance in resolving technical and technological problems. During the symposium, accompanying events were also held, creating opportunities to exchange views, discover interesting places and people, and make new friends. Three consecutive evenings were devoted to presenting the participants’ creative output and sharing their experiences and artistic visions.
It should also be emphasised that the opening of the post-symposium exhibition of the 58th International Ceramic and Sculpture Symposium in Bolesławiec 2022 took place, as well as the closing event of “TERMOFILE”, an exhibition by the outstanding ceramic artist Professor Krzysztof Rozpondek, who was also a participant in this year’s symposium. Every year, the artists eagerly take the opportunity to visit the Borowski Studio Artistic Glassworks, where they can admire the magnificent works of artist Stanisław Borowski, the founder of the brand, and his family.
We also managed to organise a social event at Willis Restaurant in Bolesławiec, without forgetting a pleasant, intimate gathering in the welcoming surroundings of the St Mary De Mattias Boarding House or at my home.
Analysing the course and atmosphere of the Bolesławiec symposium, it should be emphasised that it is a recurring event which has been organised in Bolesławiec for 59 years, and since 1994 has taken place during the Bolesławiec Ceramic Festival, becoming a permanent part of the city’s tradition.
This year’s symposium, however, took place in an exceptional atmosphere that permeated the entire city. All the residents were excited by the major event that occurred in 2023: the awarding of the Europe Prize to the city of Bolesławiec. The Europe Prize is the highest distinction that the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe can award once a year to one European city that promotes the idea of a united Europe in the most effective way. Joy, pride and a sense of shared success prevailed in the hearts of Bolesławiec’s residents. Returning to that event, I will always remember the wonderful atmosphere of August 2023.
Janina Bany-Kozłowska