“KAMIEŃ I POPIÓŁ” — the title of our current ceramics exhibition refers to matter transformed in the intense heat of a kiln, undergoing an almost alchemical process before revealing a rich spectrum of colors and textures. The works are presented in the Renaissance interiors of the Górków Castle Museum. At its core, the exhibition explores contemporary ceramics, wood-fired ceramics, and traditional ceramic techniques.

The exhibition at the Górków Castle Museum presents the evolution of our practice and the full range of themes we engage with — from functional ceramics to more experimental forms.

In 2022, we fired our wood kiln for the first time. Since then, working with historical firing methods and a deep respect for traditional craftsmanship has become central to our approach, setting our work apart from the mainstream of contemporary Polish studio ceramics. We combine restrained forms and balanced proportions with the expressive, unpredictable qualities of ash glazes and the natural effects of fire. For us, ceramics is about balance — between control and chance. Rather than overcoming the material, we allow it to speak. Despite this openness to experimentation, our pieces retain their usability and functional character.

The influence of Japanese wabi-sabi philosophy is visible in our work, particularly in flat bottles made by joining slabs of clay and firing them multiple times — their rough, weathered surfaces suggesting the passage of time. While Japan remains an important conceptual reference, the exhibition also features original forms that draw on a wide range of cultures and historical contexts.

Large-scale bowls shaped as inverted cones recall both Chinese Song dynasty ceramics and vessels from predynastic Egypt. Our characteristic ceramic boxes with animal figures — lizards, frogs, grasshoppers — could equally evoke archaeological finds from the Mediterranean region.

A significant part of the exhibition is devoted to black ceramics, which resonate with the archaeological collection of the Górków Castle Museum, including vessels from the Lusatian, Przeworsk, and Pomeranian cultures. Across this diversity, we search for universal forms — ceramic archetypes — combining tradition with personal experience and a contemporary approach to craft.

“KAMIEŃ I POPIÓŁ” is also an opportunity to visit the historic Górków Castle and the Halszka Tower — one of the most important heritage sites in Greater Poland.

The exhibition runs until May 8, 2026.

Address:
Górków Castle Museum
Wroniecka 30
Szamotuły, Poland