The Centre for Polish Sculpture in Orońsko is a place where artists from different places in the world, with different cultural experiences and traditions meet.
Sculpture, as the art of the matter, place and space is the best non-verbal language for an international conversation. The artists find in Orońsko a unique atmosphere for creating sculptures, objects, installations, performances. They have sculpture ateliers, tools and technical help at their disposal. The centre is a supporter of the objects created in Orońsko.
The sculpture centre has been operating in the park and palace complex in Orońsko since 1965, and in 1981 it has been named The Centre for Polish Sculpture. It is based in the small village of Orońsko, next to the national road 7, 16 km from Radom and 120 km from Warsaw. The centre is placed in the park and palace complex from the XIX century, consisting of a palace by Józef Brandt, a chapel, an orangery, utility buildings and a beautiful park.
Artistic tradition
The cultural tradition of Orońsko begun in the middle of the XIX century. It was cultivated by the owners – the families of Christiani, Pruszak and Brandt. Józef Brandt was a part of the milieu of the Munich Academy. After marrying the owner of the manor, Helena Pruszakowa, he moved to Orońsko in 1877. At the times of Brandt, Orońsko became an artistic colony, called Wolna Akademia Orońska / The Free Academy of Orońsko. Friends and students of the artist visited the place: Juliusz Kossak, Władysław Wankie, Jan Rosen, Władysław Szerner, Tadeusz Ajdukiewicz, Władysław Czachórski, Jan Chełmiński, Alfred Schouppé, Apoloniusz Kędzierski, Józef Kania.
Modern times
The modern history of the Centre began with artistic workshops and an open-air exhibition in 1965. Soon a Sculptors’ Retreat was opened. Since 1981 it has been functioning as a state institution, subject to the Ministry of Culture. Each year, around 200 Polish and foreign artists come to Orońsko. Artistic workshops, academic plain-airs, seminaries and modern art exhibitions take place here.
Sculptors’ Retreat
The centre is a workshop base for artists. In specialist ateliers it is possible to create both monumental, and small projects. The technical crew offers metalwork, ceramics and woodwork services. The artists have ateliers and a sculpture market square at their disposal, with artificial lighting, electric energy reception posts, compressed air and water.
Exhibitions
The centre has an interesting exhibition space. It consists of the Museum of Modern Sculpture and galleries situated in the park – Kaplica, Wozownia and Oranżeria. Apart from the buildings, the courtly park has been lent to art. The exhibition rooms host more than a dozen exhibits a year. The most important ones are dedicated to the history of modern sculpture and retrospectives of great sculptors. The promotion of the youngest generation of artists takes place during the Triennale Młodych / Youth Triennale programme.
Collection
The centre forms its own collection. The storical part, with an exposition of XIX century courtly interiors, is presented in Józef Brandt’s palace. At the same time a collection of Polish and foreign contemporary art is being developed. Works by Magdalena Abakanowicz, Mirosław Bałka, Jan Berdyszak, Jerzy Bereś, Marek Chlanda, Bronisław Chromy, Barbara Falender, Wiktor Gajda, Władysław Hasior, Stanisław Horno-Popławski, Maria Jarema, Jerzy Jarnuszkiewicz, Alfons Karny, Grzegorz Klaman, Katarzyna Kobro, Edward Krasiński, Jan Kucz, Zofia Kulik, Przemysław Kwiek, Konstanty Laszczka, Teresa Murak, Adam Myjak, Antoni Janusz Pastwa, Adam Procki, Adolf Ryszka, Adam Smolana, Franciszek Strynkiewicz, Maciej Szańkowski, Roman Woźniak, August Zamoyski, Barbara Zbrożyna and Gustaw Zemła are all present in the collection.
Education
The centre organises different forms of educational programmes. Lessons for school children involve historical traditions of Orońsko and the problems of contemporary art. Educational workshops “The Orońsko Academy”, connected with art lessons, teach sculpting techniques. The author’s cycle “Courtly meetings” talks about XIX century culture and courtly customs. The feast “May weekend with art” integrates art schools. There is also a programme for handicapped artists
Sculptor's House
The centre offers guest rooms in the interiors of the old granary – the Sculptor’s House. There are 24 places in rooms of 1, 2 and 3 with bathrooms, a cantine, Café Art and a parking lot.
Source: Sent-in information, August 2006.
Centrum Rzeźby Polskiej
ul. Topolowa 1
26-505 Orońsko
Województwo mazowieckie
Tel: (+48 48) 618 40 27, 618 45 16
Fax: (+48 48) 48 618 44 70
WWW: www.rzezba-oronsko.pl
Email: sekretariat@rzezba-oronsko.pl