Jacek Opala, Mask, 2013

ceramic, 42x60x14 cm

JO - means Jacek Opala, born 1970 in Boleslawiec, Lower Silesia. Sculptor. Taking advantage of the fact that he lives surrounded by ceramics, a few years ago he started to fire his first works in a ceramics factory in Parowa near Boleslawiec. After his first successful attempts, he continues to create figurative ceramic sculptures in his small home studio. He also casts in bronze.
He is most fascinated by combining two and more worlds in one form. Elements of anatomy, architecture, eroticism and fantasy appear in his works. In his works he evidently refers to the classics of sculpture, which is his artistic guidepost. As he says himself, he longs for obvious, narrative art. The works of such masters as Igor Mitoraj and Michelangelo are models and inspirations. He builds series of individual sculptures on the basis of self-made forms. He never makes two identical ones. The works are glazed and fired up to 1400 degrees in an electric kiln. He is a member of the Association of Polish Ceramists.