Welcome, Igor Dobrowolski!
Discover the works of Polish painter and sculptor Igor Dobrowolski (*1987, Jelenia Góra). Known for his monumental silver and metal reliefs, the artist is now focusing in his new works on sculpture in three-dimensional space—expanding and complementing his artistic practice.
In his work, Dobrowolski engages with central socio-political issues such as social injustice, discrimination, and forced migration and displacement. Not infrequently, he references formative events that have become collective traumas—triggered by violence, humanitarian catastrophes, or war. In contrast to these themes stands his choice of material and his way of working with it. The scribbles left on polished bronze or silver appear less threatening, as the gleaming light and formed crystals reflect them—creating a moment of beauty. The dominant visual language is thus complemented by a sense of hope through the resulting sheen, forming a multifaceted, expressive Gesamtkunstwerk. The artist himself describes the development from two-dimensional wall work to sculpture in three-dimensional space as an intensification of his feminine mode of expression:
“In the process of discovering myself, I have revealed some strong psychological figures (Child Side, Feminine Side, Tyrannical Side, Contemporary Side). I noticed that some paths went entirely differently when designing or thinking about new works. For example, the process of creating oil paintings was utterly different from the process of creating sculptures. The process of creating sculptures also differed from the design of bas-reliefs. I asked myself why the sculptures appeared in my head without much effort and why I feel completely different when I think about paintings and bas-reliefs. Now I am convinced that there are different psychological sides to me. When I’im designing sculptures, I do it from the female side (Feminine Side). In my sculptures, you can feel a lot of emotion, expression, grace, and emotional awareness. I noticed that my reliefs are being made on the Tyrannical side. You can see in the “brutalism” angular, sharp shapes and a monochrome palette of colors. I have known for a long time that there is an extremely childlike side to me. One of the most critical moments in my artistic process was when I started to paint with only my left hand. This process consumed me. I was in a trance. I forgot about time and barriers literally as a child. It was and still is a powerful experience. I have unknowingly tried to include all my sites in oil paintings (contemporary side). I tried to convey a political and social message, a childlike character, emotions, a certain style, etc. However, from now on, I will explore individual projects as separate psychological sides/figures. I will not force them together. I will allow them to create as separate entities. It is one of the most important discoveries in my artistic career so far.”
(Igor Dobrowolski)