Sculptures for a Wall Unit
14 May – 25 October 2026
Ceramic penguins, monkeys, strongmen and sex bomb figurines adorned wall units in Polish flats for the entire duration of the communist era. These remarkable porcelain “chamber sculptures” caused quite a sensation abroad and continue to delight design enthusiasts to this day. Their designs were created in the mid-1950s at the Institute of Industrial Design in Warsaw, by a team of designers comprising: Henryk Jędrasiak, Mieczysław Naruszewicz, Hanna Orthwein and Lubomir Tomaszewski.
The several hundred ceramic designs depicting animal and human figures were all characterised by modern sculptural form and non-representational painted decoration. The designs were created with mass production in mind. They were meant to be available to individual buyers wishing to furnish their homes in accordance with the latest trends in art and design. The modern figurines were produced in large numbers by all porcelain factories operating in Poland in 1956–1965.
The exhibition showcases the collection held at the National Museum in Warsaw. It is unique, since it is composed entirely of prototypes made under the direct supervision of four outstanding designers from the Institute of Industrial Design. It is they who developed the distinct, frequently copied style, and created the most impressive designs. Visitors will be able to admire the sculptural nature of the items and the original language of form invented by their makers.
Curator: Kaja Muszyńska
Co-financed by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage
Museum Patrons:
Cooperation:
Exhibition Partner:
The Institute of Industrial Design