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Ewa Szlachetka-DepakShe has graduated from the Faculty of Sculpture of the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków, diploma in 2005. She is currently a student at the Academy of Fine Arts PhD School in Kraków.
In her creative searches, she touches opposing areas, discovering their connections. In a series of works in which she combines heavy, clunky chamotte clay with a fleeting, delicate porcelain lithophane, she simultaneously presents what is visible and what is invisible, because in the porcelain lithophane the pattern is revealed when illuminated. She builds sculptures based on structures referring to the logic of nature, calling them Bio-Logical Forms. This is how her abstract objects are created, which are in a strong, intense connection with nature.
She works creatively in her Litofania Ceramic Studio in Kraków, the headquarter of the Roman Szlachetka Litofania Foundation, of which she is a co-founder.
“I follow the footsteps of porcelain lithophane because it is a unique technique. The pattern only becomes visible when illuminated from behind. It shows what you couldn't see before. This unusual technique became the heroine of my research as the subject of my PhD dissertation. I have been interested in the art of ceramics from an early age. This is my sculptural material, as well as the subject of educational projects that I conduct. During the workshops, I will share the knowledge and skills I have acquired."
Porcelain lithophane is a technique invented in 1827 in Paris. Just like porcelain invented in Europe (China is a separate chapter), it spread quickly, but its popularity quickly faded away. With the development of new technologies, it become possible to fire porcelain on mass scale in ceramic workshops, not only in porcelain factories. That's why, now, we can enjoy forming a porcelain lithophane.
Workshop's program: Porcelain lithophane, landscape painted with light
Friday, 4th April 2025 (14:00-20:00)
The first day of the workshop will be used to gain personal experience in the process of forming a porcelain lithophane and drying it in the way that no bends or cracks occur. The leading topic will be landscape, treated freely with openness to the participants' own ideas. During the workshop, the Ewa Szlachetka-Depak will run a presentation with samples of porcelain lithophane. They will help participants to estimate the relationship between the thickness of the porcelain tile and its translucency. The teacher will provide detailed instructions on how to perform lithophane.
Saturday, 5 th April 2025 (10:00-17:00 with an hour break for lunch)
The second day will begin with the transfer of skills: how to load lithophane into a ceramic kiln. This is important because raw porcelain is very brittle. While the kiln will be working, participants will learn how to go into space in forming a thin porcelain wall and how to place a pattern - a lithophane - in this three-dimensional object.
Sunday, April 6, 2025 (10:00-17:00 with an hour break for lunch)
The third day will begin with unloading the lithophanes from the ceramic kiln and discussing the effects. The method of installing the lithophane in a frame 27 cm x 27 cm will be presented to obtain an image painted with light. Participants will place their lithophanes in their displays.
The effect of the workshops: participants will be able to take back home a handmade lithophany in a frame that will properly display it. They will gain knowledge and skills: how to make, fire and display a lithophane in the way that the pattern is properly illuminated, and how to go out into space, forming three-dimensional porcelain objects with lithophane elements.
The workshops are open.
Participants are provided with all materials, tools and vegetarian meals on the second and third day of the workshop.
The workshops will take place in the Ogród Sztuk ceramics studio, ul. Krasińskiego 8, premises 200, cage VI, 01-601 Warszawa.
The workshop is conducted in Polish. If necessary, we provide translation into English.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
ul. Krasińskiego 8 lok. 200, 01-601 Warsaw, Poland, ulica Zygmunta Krasińskiego 8, 01-601 Żoliborz, Polska,Warsaw, Poland
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