Throughout his long professional life, both in his home country and across Europe, he was regarded as an authority. The best evidence of the recognition for his craftsmanship and knowledge was the fact that the Russian team working on the reconstruction of the Amber Room benefited from his experience.
I met Wiesław at the editorial office of the magazine „Złotnik-Zegarmistrz” in 1987. Since then, I have witnessed his persistent struggle for a worthy place for the forgotten art of Gdańsk amber craftsmen.
Wiesław Gierłowski was the founder and first chairman of the Main Association of Amberworkers in Poland, and co-created the Amberif trade fair. Together, we founded the quarterly magazine „Polski Jubiler” and together we developed the assumptions for the Gdańsk World Amber Capital project. He became the first chairman of the World Amber Council.
Wiesław Gierłowski is the author of over 1000 scientific and journalistic publications. He regularly collaborated with professional journals in the field of goldsmithing. He organised scientific seminars on amber accompanying the Amberif International Fair of Amber, Jewellery and Gemstones in Gdańsk.
For his enormous contributions to amber craftsmanship, the Amber Association awarded him the title of Amber Craftsman of the Century in 2000.
He had a huge positive impact on the entire industry, stimulating it to take on ever new challenges. But he left fulfilled, because his vision of restoring a worthy place for Gdańsk amber craftsmen was realised.
The funeral will take place at Łostowice Cemetery, Armia Krajowa (70) section in Gdańsk, on March 30th at 12:00 PM.