The series of works distinguished at the event in Vallauris - TransForms Plus - was created by Patuszyńska last year during her residency at the porcelain factory in Wałbrzych. The designer was inspired by Fryderyka, one of the company's most historic collections. The pieces incorporate elements of the original tureens and spouts of kettles, which were then fixed to the bottoms of the created objects, appearing to put them awkwardly out of balance. The upper parts formed by the artist to her personal liking resemble vessels constructed out of papier-mâché. The series may be considered a continuation of the artist’s earlier series of G-Tops, inspired by the shapes of spinning tops.
The Polish designer has founded her technique on casting, which until today remains her favorite method of creation. She is an artist highly conscious of the ceramic tradition, basing her method of the technique of casting and at the same time eagerly experimenting with form. Some of her most original pieces look as if they were made of crumbled paper, bones or rocks. The award won in France isn’t her first international success. Recently she was the first Polish artist to take part in the prestigious Ceramic Art London event. In 2011 her works were distinguished at the First China Kaolin Grand Prix for International Ceramic Art in Jingdezhen in China and at the Ninth International Ceramics Competition in Mino in Japan.
A graduate of the Faculty of Ceramics and Glass of the Academy of Fine Arts in Wrocław and a member of the Geneva-based International Academy of Ceramics, Patuszyńska lives and works in Warsaw, however she exhibits chiefly outside of Poland. Monika Patuszyńska talked about her fascination with ceramics in an interview with Hanna Adamkowska:
Porcelain is an unusual material. It is beautiful and independent. It inspires. It doesn’t surrender easily to the artist, because it’s not a subservient or patient material. It has its own opinions. I don’t even try to control or tame it. One may tear out the cat’s claws so that it doesn’t scratch, but will it still be a cat without its claws?
The Biennale of Vallauris is devoted to contemporary ceramics and since 1966 has promoted the finest creators of artistic pottery from across the world including amongst others Vlastimic Kvetensky, Nicole Giroud or Anikki Hovisaari. The town of Vallauris is well-known for its ceramic tradition. In 1948 Pablo Picasso came to live in the settlement, where he developed a fascination for creating works made form clay and other raw materials. During his time there (up through 1955), he made a great many unique ceramic pieces, which he decorated with ornaments that present his favourite motifs, such as bullfights, women and animals. Also the famous ceramicists Roger Capron and Charles Voltz lived and worked in the town.
The 22nd International Biennale of Vallauris runs from 7th of July until the 12th of November. The event is divided into three sections: design, container and architectural/ sculptural/conceptual ceramics. In March 2012 a jury consisting of ten members granted chosen artists awards in the respective divisions. Monika Patuszyńska won the Prize of the Town of Vallauris, given outside of the abovementioned categories. Her winning series is on display at the event.
Editor: Marek Kępa, June 2012
Source: Press release