Art and Heritage Online Database

Collection: Gray's School of Art Fine Art Collection
Object Type: sculpture
Artist/Maker: Proszowska, Gabriela
Date: 2023
Media/Materials: wood; ceramic
Dimensions: overall bust: 30 cm x 37 cm x 16 cm; overall tree trunk plinth: 133 cm x 50 cm
Awards: RGU Contemporary Art Practice Purchase Award
Classification: Contemporary Art Practice

Description:

Sculpture plinth was created using a fallen pine tree trunk which was damaged during storm Arwen + ceramic bust.

My practice has a basis within traditional sculpture, with a contemporary approach to the context. The process comes hand in hand with the outcome, which includes research and thematic exploration. Together the result becomes complete. My choice of medium is wood for its intricacies, space for symbolism and the varied possibilities of creating. Most recently my research has taken me into the realm of identity, and more significantly the investigation of the relationship between oneself and their nationality. Immigrating as a young child from Poland to the UK allows me to draw emotion from personal experience. At the time of my degree show I had begun to develop and branch out into the theme of diaspora, to gain a deeper understanding of cultural development.


‘Pionek’, which translated to English means ‘Pawn’ is an homage to my grandad that fought in the Polish Home Army during WW2. The piece was part of an installation to represent the cumulation of complexities found after exploring my roots and the core of my nationhood as well as others. It has been an investigation of the dreaded question ‘Who am I?’. The show featured drawings of 3 family members, each with a different history. Sculptures referenced the subconscious impact that nationality has on identity. A topic that I want to bring light to. All work is connected through the medium of wood. I collected birchwood from the forest in my homeland to then bring it to Scotland, turn it into charcoal to be then used to produce the drawings, and ash to create the glaze for my ceramic bust.

The sculpture plinth was created using a fallen pine tree trunk which was damaged during storm Arwen. The tree stood close to Gray's School of Art.

Object Number: ABDRG2023.29.1