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| The X-Factor | |
| 2004-04-27 | |
| An exhibition of sculptures by Xawery Dunikowski (1875-1964), considered to be the most outstanding Polish sculptor of the 20th century, is on at the Regional Museum in Stalowa Wola. For many years, the artist was connected with Cracow where he was born, studied, lived and was making his sculptures. The exhibition, presenting the artist's works from the Wawel Castle collection, is divided into four parts: The Symbolic Period, In the Jesuits' Circle, Portraits and Wawel Heads. Dunikowski's early sculptures contain the artist's reflections related to the mysteries of human life. They are presented in a symbolic way and were created under considerable influence of Stanis³aw Przybyszewski's philosophy. These include Fatum, a sculpture which is very expressive despite its simplified form and brings up associations with African art. There is also the series entitled Pregnant Women which is regarded by many experts as Dunikowski's most outstanding work. Frédéric Chopin's bust, a sculptural subject which Dunikowski undertook a few times, is one of his most interesting sculptures in the Portrait section. The famous Wawel heads occupy a special place in the artist's work. Made of different materials (plaster and wood), these studies and finished products were connected with the task entrusted to the sculptor: to reconstruct the missing heads in the coffered ceiling of Poselska Hall in Wawel Castle. When implementing his task, the artist made sculptural portraits of historical figures, local notables, his acquaintances and people chosen at random. Regional Museum in Stalowa Wola, 1 Sandomierska St., through May 16 | |
| (The Warsaw Voice) | |