Rafał Ciesielski / About me

Born in Łódź, April 7, 1961
Son of sculptor Włodzimierz Ciesielski and textile designer Maria Zielińska
Graduate of the High School of Art and Design in Łódź, 1981
Studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Łódź at the faculty of Graphics 1981-1987
Diploma at the atelier of prof. Andrzej Bartczak and prof. Stanisław Łabędzki, January 1988
Graphics: intaglio 1984-1986, linocut 1986-1990
Sculpture: since 1985

Exhibitions

1988 - participation in the Second Spring Salon in Lodz
1988 - Individual graphics exhibition at Galeria’78 Cultural Centre Karolew in Lodz
1989 - Individual graphics exhibition at gallery Piwnica Piotrkowska’86 in Lodz
1990 - Individual graphics exhibition at Cultural Centre Lokator in Lodz
2010 - Individual sculpture exhibition at Akademia Humanistyczno-Ekonomiczna in Lodz „Rękodzieła”
2010 - Individual sculpture exhibition at Łódzki Dom Kultury in Lodz
2013 - Collegiate church of All Saints in Sieradz - an exhibition of sculpture, together with his father Włodzimierz Ciesielski
2016 – Municipal Gallery of Art Villa in Łódź - exhibition of sculpture with father Włodzimierz Ciesielski

Since 1985 sculptures in churches: sculptures and reliefs in wood

Major works:

1986 - Saint Anthony’s church in Zduńska Wola - altar wall, altar and pulpit (oak). Partnership with Włodzimierz Ciesielski
1987 - Saint Stanisław Kostka’s church in Płock - reliefs in lime wood
1988-1992 - Saint John the Baptist’s church in Kutno - altar wall, statue of Jesus the Saviour, altars in the aisles and Stations of the Cross - reliefs in lime wood
1993 - The chapel of Salesian Missionary Centre in Warsaw - altar wall - relief in lime wood
2008 - The Divine Mercy’s church in Brzesko - reliefs in chapels (lime wood). Partnership with Włodzimierz Ciesielski
2008 - Salesian church in Żyrardów - Stations of the Cross and altar wall - reliefs in lime wood. Partnership with Włodzimierz Ciesielski.
2011 - Good Shepherd’s church - portrait of cardinal Stefan Wyszyński - relief in lime wood.

Since 1997 secular sculptures

Major works:

2004 - Stud farm in Dzierżązna near Łódź - relief in the entrance gate 2x1,5 m (epoxy resin, bronze imitation)
2007 - Stud farm in Ciosny near Łódź - fountain 3x2x1,5 m (epoxy resin, sandstone imitation)
2008 - Wyższa Szkoła Humanistyczno Ekonomiczna in Łódź - commemorative plaque 60x75 cm (bronze)
2010 - Interior decoration in a classicist palace in Opypy - sculptures and reliefs in wood (elm and poplar)
2011 - Tymianka near Łódź - fountain 1,5 m (epoxy resin cast with bronze filings)
2011 - Ruciane-Nida - fountain in the harbour 2,1 m (epoxy resin cast with bronze filings)
2012 – Nadleśnictwo Bełchatów – rzeźby na ścieżkę dydaktyczną
2012 – Forest district Bełchatów – sculptures on an educational path
2014-2019 – Nature Education Centre of the Jagiellonian University – models
2015 – Old Mill Education Centre in Toruń – sculptural decoration
2016 – Tatra National Park – zoomorphic sculptures
2020 – Museum of the Mouth of Warta River in Słońsk – zoomorphic sculptures
2021 – Museum of Fairy Tales in Pacanów – sculpted fairy late characters
2021 – Central Textile Museum in Łódź – copies of reliefs from historic buildings of Łódź
2022 – Museum of Radom – copies of historical sculptures
2023 – Museum of Armoury of Liw Castle – sculptures representing historical figures

Private sculptures since 1997

Major cycles:

2004-2007 – series „Wyrosłe z natury” (Grown from Nature) - reliefs and sculptures in alder
2008-2009 – series „Rękodzieła” (Handicrafts) – reliefs and sculptures in stone and epoxy resin (imitation of bronze)
2008 – series „Z głowy” (From Head) sculptures in epoxy resin (imitation of bronze)
2011 – nudes series - sculptures in epoxy resin cast with bronze filings 20x15x10 cm
2011 – series „Relacje" (Relations) – sculptures in epoxy resin cast with bronze filings 43-69 cm
2014 – series „Moje symfonie” – reliefs from poplar wood, 130-230 cm high
2015-2016 – „Stone souls” series – casts with bronze filings (original technique) and stone, height 50-90 cm
2017-2022 – „Stone souls” series – miniatures, bronze and stone, height 40 cm
2017-2022 – nude studies series – bronze, height 10-15 cm
2018 – Monument for the 100th anniversary of Polish Independence in Stryków – bronze, steel and stone, height 5 m
2020-2021 – Portraits series – casts with bronze filings (original technique), height 20 cm
2022 – Faces series – casts with bronze filings (original technique), height 15-20 cm