Bronisław Wolanin is an outstanding artist who has been associated for years with the largest ceramic plants in Bolesławiec. He is currently a designer and artistic director of the Ceramika Artystyczna cooperative. “Bolesławiec is associated with ceramics, and Bolesławiec ceramics means Bronisław Wolanin to many people,” Piotr Roman said during the ceremony.
The “Gloria Artis Medal for Merit to Culture,” awarded to Bronisław Wolanin by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage, is a particularly prestigious distinction honoring outstanding achievements in the field of culture. It ranks higher than the honorary badge of Merit for Polish Culture.
It should be recalled that during his more than 40-year career, the artist received many significant awards, including the Minister of Culture and Art Award, a gold medal at the 5th International Ceramics Triennial in Sopot, the main prize at the International Trade Fair in Frankfurt am Main, and an honorary distinction at the International Biennial of Contemporary Mosaics in Buenos Aires.
Summing up his many years of work, Bronisław Wolanin emphasized how difficult it was to create during the Polish People’s Republic. As a sensitive and talented young man, he began working at a plant where the simple working-class ethos of strong hands, rather than the values represented by the young artist, was held in the highest regard.
“It was difficult because everyone drank, and I was not much of a drinker,” Wolanin joked, although his words sounded bitter, and added: “At last, people are now receiving awards for their creative work, because in the past it was all about the party connection. Today’s awards bring more joy.”
The artist also stressed that another well-known artist, Władysław Garnik, had encouraged him to come to Bolesławiec and work in our city.
Representatives of the city and county authorities attended the ceremony at the Museum of Ceramics marking the presentation of the medal to Bronisław Wolanin. The mayor, Piotr Roman, promised to submit a motion to grant the artist the title of Honorary Citizen of the City. Congratulations were also offered by Karol Stasik, president of Zakłady Ceramiczne “Bolesławiec,” who recalled that the artist had been associated with his plant for several years.
Congratulations were also sent by artist friends and museum directors, with good wishes arriving from Poland and abroad. The editorial staff of the Istotne Informacje portal and newspaper also joins in the congratulations.
(information: Grażyna Hanaf)