Mirosław Bałka is one of the most eminent contemporary Polish sculptors. He lives and works in Otwock. He is permanently affiliated with the Warsaw Academy of Fine Arts. However, his works are famous all over the world. One of them is in the Susch Museum founded by Grażyna Kulczyk.

Biographical outline

The artist was born in 1958 in Warsaw. Already his early works attracted attention with their minimalist form going hand in hand with a deeply symbolic message. Between 1980 and 1985 he studied at the Faculty of Sculpture at the Warsaw Academy of Fine Arts.

An important role in Bałka's career was played by his participation in the Venice Biennale in 1990. In the following years the artist appeared at this cyclical event many times. His works are in major international art collections, including: Hishhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden (Washington), Tate (London), Museet for Samtid-kunst (Oslo), Stedelijk Van Abbemuseum (Eindhoven), The Museum of Contemporary Art (Los Angeles), Kaiser Wilhelm Museum (Krefeld), Museum of Modern Art (New York), Museum of Art (Łódź).

His best-known works include Souvenir of the First Holy Communion (1985), Boy and Eagle (1988), To be Continued (1990), or the monumental installation 'How It Is' in the Turbine Hall at Tate Modern in 2009. Bałka is the recipient of numerous awards.

The artist focuses on the deeply symbolic meanings of the forms he depicts. More often than not, his works are provocative and aim to make the viewer reflect. It is worth noting, however, that Bałka has changed his perspective over the years and clearly marked the successive chapters of his explorations. On the material side, the artist focuses on the body, memory, history and transience, using simple and raw materials such as concrete, steel, wood, salt, ash, iron, soap and wine.

Susch Museum in Switzerland

Opened by Grazyna Kulczyk in 2019, the Susch Museum is described as a 'private institution for contemporary art'. It is located in the Swiss village of Susch on the grounds of a former monastery and brewery amidst a picturesque mountain landscape.

It is a very peculiar and atmospheric place combining austere architecture with natural rock formations. The museum features both permanent exhibitions and temporary exhibitions.

The collection includes Miroslaw Balka's sculpture 'NARCISSUSSUSCH'(2018) created especially for the Susch. The sculpture is housed in a natural grotto, which was originally used as a cold room by the former inhabitants of the monastery. In the centre of the room is a moving cylinder made of several sheets of polished stainless steel, which reflects the surrounding rock formations.

A special mechanism rotates the sculpture in a counter-clockwise direction. If we juxtapose this with the eternal rock formations, we acquire a metaphor for the stubborn but futile rebellion against the inevitable - the passing of time. The message is reinforced by the reflection of the viewer viewing the installation. The museum visitor becomes part of the concept for a moment.