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Technique: granite sculpture
Dimensions: 170 cm (H), 60 cm (W), 45 cm (D)
Object: The massive freestanding sculpture made of a single vertical piece of granite is a simplified representation of a man shown from the front. Only the head is extracted out of the compact cuboid form; the remaining elements of the composition are outlined in relief, carved broadly and flatly using simple geometric forms. The surface of the sculpture is rough and textured. The work was acquired by the National Museum in Gdańsk directly from the artist on 28 November 1974. Since 1976, Patriarch has formed part of the open-air sculpture exhibition in Oliwa Park. It is placed on a granite plinth with a near-square base, measuring 65 × 66 cm and 60 cm high. The sculpture is signed with a carved monogram at the bottom of the back: “FR 75”.
Place: The sculpture is integrated into the natural landscape of the northern part of the Adam Mickiewicz Park in Oliwa. It forms part of the Gallery of Contemporary Gdańsk Sculpture from the collection of the National Museum in Gdańsk, created on the initiative of the Museum, the District Board of the Association of Polish Artists and Designers (ZPAP) and the City Council. The outdoor gallery, showcasing works by artists from different generations, was officially opened on 30 March 1976.
Information about the author: Romuald Frejer (b. 1926 in Mosty, d. 1987 in Gdańsk) studied at the Faculty of Sculpture of the State School of Visual Arts (PWSSP) in Gdańsk – the present-day Academy of Fine Arts. He graduated in 1958 from Prof. Stanisław Horno-Popławski’s studio. Between 1956 and 1969, he worked at the Department of Sculptural and Architectural Design of his alma mater. His work was exhibited at regional and nationwide group exhibitions, including the Young Painting and Sculpture Festival (Sopot, 1957, mention of honour); 15th Anniversary of the Polish People’s Army (Warsaw, 1962); Polish Visual Works on the 15th Anniversary of the People’s Republic of Poland (Warsaw, 1957), 20 Years of the People’s Republic of Poland in Visual Arts (Sopot, 1962). Frejer also founded the “Co To” student theatre.
Condition of the object: awaiting renovation
Owner/guardian: The National Museum in Gdańsk
Author of the entry: Andrzej Zagrobelny
Sources:
Index card from the Research Catalogue of Artistic and Artistic/Historical Exhibits, inv. no. MNG/SW/39/RZ
Bibliography:
Galeria Współczesnej Rzeźby Gdańskiej w Parku Oliwskim, J.W. Bradtke, ed., The National Museum in Gdańsk (Gdańsk 1978) [2nd edition, Gdańsk 1989]
Grzegorz Niewiadomy, Trójmiasto. Gdańsk – Sopot – Gdynia. Przewodnik krajoznawczy (Gdynia 2006)
Wojciech Zmorzyński, “Rzeźba,” in Akademia Sztuk Pięknych w Gdańsku 1945–2005. Tradycja i współczesność, The National Museum in Gdańsk (Gdańsk 2005)
Mentions of the artist:
Państwowa Wyższa Szkoła Sztuk Plastycznych w Gdańsku: 1945–1965, J. Wnukowa, ed. (Gdańsk 1965)
Zofia Watrak, “Rodowody i kontynuacje rzeźby gdańskiej. Mistrzowie i uczniowie gdańskiej uczelni,” in Gdański Rocznik Kulturalny, no. 8 (1985)
Ignacy Witz, Plastycy Wybrzeża (Gdańsk 1969)
Wydział Rzeźby Akademii Sztuk Pięknych w Gdański: 2002–2003, L. Ostrogórska, J. Rudnicka, eds. (Gdańsk 2003)
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