„We have planned a series of exhibitions entitled ‘Design in the Uphagen House’, aware that people today change and misuse the word „design” in many ways. We live in an era where chairs are bought without being sat on, and juicers are admired for their decorative form but are impractical. We felt that the Uphagen House, the seat of the Museum of Bourgeois Interiors, is an excellent venue for showcasing creators who not only design objects well but also make them soundly themselves,” explained Robert Pytlos from the Gdańsk City Hall, outlining the idea behind the exhibitions.
These requirements are certainly met by Dorota Cenecka and Przemysław Kuś. She is a respected goldsmith-jeweller, and he is a respected sculptor. They have been collaborating for several years – he creates intricate amber sculptures, and she sets them in sophisticated casings. Together, they are showcasing over 100 works at the exhibition, although only a portion of them are the result of their collaboration. „I wanted to show diversity, hence the selection of jewellery that was created at various stages of my 25-year professional career,” explained Cenecka. The exhibition features, among other things, one of her most famous works – a replica Amber Chain of Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, President of Gdańsk – with stones carved by Przemysław Kuś.
Complementing this part of the exhibition are photographs and films from fashion shows in which Dorota Cenecka participated – mainly Gdańsk Amber Look. A reminder of the „Time's Up” show – and proof that jewellery is an inseparable element of fashion – are three mannequins displaying her jewellery alongside dresses by Joanna Weyna (PUDU) and hats by Beata Miłogrodzka.
Przemysław Kuś also has something to be proud of – over 20 selected works attest to his unrivalled sculpting skill. One testament to this is the spectacular sculpture „Battle of Grunwald,” a bas-relief measuring 110 x 60 cm and weighing 10 kg, which he created on a private commission – unfortunately, it can only be viewed in a photograph. Its creation took almost a year – six days a week, several hours a day. It is the largest work produced in the sculptor's studio, although, as he himself emphasises, many other works, even if smaller, are more detailed and required even more work. Currently, Przemysław Kuś is working on, among other things, a sculpture of the Last Supper modelled on Leonardo da Vinci's painting. Naturally, in Baltic amber, which in his opinion is unique in form and colours and possesses exceptional sculpting properties. „I cannot imagine working in any other material than amber,” he concluded.
„I've been observing Przemysław Kuś's work for several years now, and each time I'm left in awe: these are masterpieces of the highest calibre. The artist surprises with his approach to amber, possesses an excellent understanding of the material, and knows perfectly how to utilise amber's properties: its colour palette and variability within a single piece. Each of these forms tells a story, and by bringing them to life, the artist makes them even more intriguing. If a contemporary Amber Room were to be created, I know who should be its creator. Przemysław Kuś's sculptures, set by Dorota Cenecka, gain an additional function and become luxurious jewellery” – Marcin Tymiński, president of the Goldsmiths' Art Association, does not hide his admiration.
Design at the Uphagen House: Dorota Cenecka & Przemysław Kuś
Uphagen House, Gdańsk
29 June – 30 August 2019
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