Spatial arrangement of five sculptures by the Subisław pond

Technique: sculpture, granite

Dimensions: approx. 160 to 190 cm (height of the sculptures with plinths)

Object: The group consists of five sculptures made by the artist in 1963. Those are: “Frigate”, “Prince”, “Lotus”, “Centaur”, “Abstraction”.

“Frigate” – this was originally the crowning element of the fountain next to the Great Mill, which was removed at the beginning of the 21^st century. The sculpture is placed directly on the ground, on a hidden cement base; it consists of two granite boulders piled one upon the other. A granite plaque in the ground in front of the sculpture indicates the title (“Frigate”), author (“Alfons Łosowski”) and completion date (“1963”). The name is incorrect, as the sculptor called it “Corvette”. It was unveiled in its current location in 2003.

“Prince” – a sculpture composed of two stones, the upper one made of dark grey granite with a stylised face drawing, and the lower made of light grey granite. A plaque in the ground in front of the sculpture bears an inscription with the title (“Prince”), author (“Alfons Łosowski”) and completion date (“1963”). The original title given by the author was “Crown Prince”.

“Lotus” – a sculpture composed of two stones, with the upper part made of dark grey granite – an abstract form reminiscent of a flower bud, and the lower light-grey granite part having a rectangular shape with curved edges. A plaque in the ground indicates the title (“Lotus”), author (“Alfons Łosowski”) and completion date (“1963”).

“Centaur” – a sculpture consisting of four light-coloured granite blocks, the two lower ones forming the legs of the centaur, the middle one its body, on which rests an oval head with a shallow face drawing; a sculpture on hidden a base, with a plaque in the ground in front stating the title (“Centaur”), author (“Alfons Łosowski”) and completion date (“1963”).

“Abstraction” – an amorphous sculpture made of dark-grey granite rests on a slender cylindrical plinth (light-grey granite) on a base hidden in the ground. In front of the sculpture there is a similar plaque indicating the title, author and date (1963).

All the sculptures, except for “Frigate” /”Corvette”, used to decorate the square on Św. Ducha Street, close to the artist’s studio. The objects were transferred to the City of Gdańsk in 1966. They bear the typical features of Łosowski’s style: an organic form and a synthetic chiselling pattern, emphasising the natural material.

Place: The sculptures were moved in 2003–2007 from green areas and fountain that were removed from the centre of Gdańsk. They were arranged as a spatial composition, in a row along an alley circling the Subisława pond, whose surroundings are a recreational and park area.

Information about the author: Alfons Łosowski (04 Jan 1908–27 Jun 1988). Born in Orkiewicze in the Novogrudok region (currently in Belarus). He graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts at the S. Báthory University in Vilnius under the supervision of Prof. Kuna, Mikenas and Aleksandrowicz.

During the war, he was a Home Army soldier of the Vilnius district. After the war, he settled in Gdańsk. Until 1955, he was working on reconstructing sculptures as part of the Gdańsk Old Town restoration. He brought back to life sculptures decorating many façades of the most famous tenement houses, all based on modest, surviving photographic documentation. In 1955, he started independent creative work in his studio at 11/13 Mariacka Street.

He authored several outdoor sculptures within the Gdańsk area, which he donated to the city in 1966, as well as many sculptures in public buildings in Poland, in museums and private collections. Granite and wood were his primary working materials. He created a distinctive style that combined organic form with a natural stone texture.

Condition of the object: good

Owner: city of Gdańsk, guardian: Gdańsk Road and Greenery Authority

Author of the entry: Kora Kowalska