This exhibition showcases a series of medals created by artist Katarzyna Masny, dedicated to the members of the TOPR (Tatra Volunteer Mountain Rescue Service). The artworks aim to preserve the memory of these individuals and highlight values such as passion, perseverance, and selfless help.
The exhibition "Medals to commemorate TOPR members" features a significant medal cycle by artist Katarzyna Masny, realized within a scholarship from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. The artworks serve as a tribute to the members of the TOPR, individuals who dedicated their lives to saving others in the mountains. The exhibition aims to foster the memory of these remarkable people and to remind visitors of important values like passion, perseverance, and selfless assistance, which are often overlooked in contemporary society. The project explores a dialogue with the tradition of the Tatra Volunteer Mountain Rescue Service through artistic expression, seeking new sculptural values and expanding the artistic medal-making landscape in Poland. The cycle comprises dozens of works executed using various sculptural techniques.
The artist shares a personal connection to the subjects, having grown up in the region and known many of the individuals depicted. The exhibition includes detailed descriptions of several specific medals, highlighting the individuals they honor, such as Szczepan Masny, Michał Jagiełło, Franciszek Spytek, Józef Uznański, Bogusław Arendarczyk, Janusz Rybicki, Kuba Stawowy, and Marek Łabunowicz. Each medal is described in terms of its materials, techniques, and the symbolism used to represent the honoree's life and contributions to rescue work and mountain culture. The exhibition is a form of gratitude and remembrance for these heroes.