Piotr Micek

Ceramicist

©Piotr Micek

A meticulous journey

Piotr is the director of the Art Gallery BWA in Wałbrzych
His primary technique working with ceramic is multiplication
He collaborates with many Polish artists, curating prestigious exhibitions

Piotr Micek creates his ceramic paintings through a composition of multiplied elements, that guide your eye from the totality into the detail. "This is important for me, the possibility to read these images as a whole, while recognizing the value of the unit", Piotr explains. Just like his mosaics, Piotr’s life is formed from many complementary elements. His work is divided between three cities. In Wałbrzych he works as a director of the Art Gallery BWA and as a head of the Unique Ceramics Center . He created an artistic collaboration between those institutions and Academy of Art and Design in Wrocław, where he graduated from the faculty of ceramics and glass. His personal workshop is in his home city of Kamienna Góra.

Interview

©Piotr Micek

©Piotr Micek

Why did you choose multiplication as your way of expression?: At the beginning, I only had a small pottery kiln and had to find a way to make large surfaces with it - hence the idea of multiplication. But once I went in this direction, I realised that this scrupulous process brings me a feeling of joy and calmness. You could say its therapeutic.
Is it also very labour intensive?: Yes. I make a pattern from different elements, and each of them requires polishing; composition is another step. Often through experiments with glazes I create a colour palette which requires twice as much material. There are hundreds of hours of work but I believe this is the strong point of my projects.
Did your various collaborations influence your work?: During the year, I carry out a dozen individual exhibitions from various fields. Contact with these artists is a real treasure trove. I have worked with different artists and encountered diverse techniques that I later translate somehow into my reality.
What advice would you give young students?: That fate is in their hands. Talent is important, but the basis is hard work and your personality. You need to be persistent in making decisions. What I do now, is the result of work I imposed myself. If it wasn't for my obstinacy, and kind people I met on my way, I wouldn't be where I am now.

Piotr Micek is a master artisan: he began his career in 2005 and he started teaching in 2016