Glina, spiek, forma: Permanent Exhibition of Polish Clay and Ceramic Art in Warsaw

This permanent exhibition explores the significance of clay as a fundamental substance, examining its physical properties, origins, and the human touch in shaping it into functional and artistic ceramics. It showcases pottery from various post-1945 Polish centers, highlighting the connection between local resources, traditional craftsmanship, and creative expression.

The "Glina, spiek, forma" exhibition delves into the profound relationship between clay, fired earth, and form, presenting it as a substance deeply rooted in its origin. The National Museum of Ethnography in Warsaw houses a significant collection of over 6,000 ceramic objects, a selection of which are featured here. The exhibition emphasizes how the clay's physical, chemical, and biological properties are directly influenced by local conditions and human intervention, from extraction and preparation to the final shaping. Showcasing ceramic works primarily created after 1945 from prominent Polish pottery centers such as Stary Sącz, Medynia Głogowska, and Urzędów, the exhibition illustrates how each location fostered unique biosocial networks. These networks, combining local clay resources, artisanal traditions, and human creativity, shaped the distinctive characteristics of the produced items. The exhibition posits clay not merely as a backdrop but as an active participant in the creative process, highlighting that its essence is best understood through tactile experience – its softness, coolness, and responsiveness to touch, before firing transforms it into durable ceramic objects.

This is a permanent exhibition. Accessibility features include Polish and English texts, audio descriptions, Polish Sign Language information, and tactile objects. Further details on museum access and specific exhibition ticketing are not provided on this page.