[Image: Courtesy of Stanislaw Trzebinski]
Stanislaw Trzebinski has always been surrounded by art. Born in Kenya, this sculptor of Polish, German & English decent grew up in a family of driven creatives and eccentrics. With his mother, Anna Trzebinski, a celebrated fashion designer and his late father, Tonio Trzebinski, a famed painter, his childhood home encouraged artistic contribution as a way of self-expression. His high school art teacher further supported him to pursue the arts, engaging him to experiment with multiple avenues; from photography and painting to sculpting and welding. Hence, having his first solo exhibition by the time he was 17 years old.
Layered Woman 2014 [Image: Courtesy of Stanislaw Trzebinski]
Stove Pipe Sponge Coral Bust [Image: Courtesy of Stanislaw Trzebinski]
Pineapple Swimmer 2015 [Image: Courtesy of Stanislaw Trzebinski]
After briefly studying at the applauded Pratt Institute in New York, he moved to Cape Town in 2012 where he worked with sculptor – Otto du Plessis – who also owned the Bronze Age art foundry. It’s there that his fervour for sculptures began, permitting him to begin honing the skills responsible for his trademark bronze sculptures today.
2015 Pieces [Image: Courtesy of Stanislaw Trzebinski]
With his formative years spent between the Rift Valley and the East African Coast, Stanislaw’s appreciation for the natural world was cultivated. He even had a menagerie of 70 animals when he was a young boy. Fascinated by how the urban living has disconnected humans from nature, his work to date explores this dissociated relationship. By blending elements from nature with the human physique, Stanislaw encourages his audience to look closely at his abstract work to realise the symbiotic relationship. It doesn’t hurt that nature provides different patterns, textures, shapes and forms to guide his abstract work. Resulting in artistic expression that packages environmental activism in a whole new light.
Suspended Crouching Man 2015 [Image: Courtesy of Stanislaw Trzebinski]
Coral Totumn 2016 [Image: Courtesy of Stanislaw Trzebinski]
Although figurative sculptures are his primary focus, he has also ventured into the world of functional design with the creation of the ‘Triton Table’ as well as coffee and dining tables. Like in his sculptures, he draws from his experience with the African natural beauty and incorporates it in the products for a refined finish.
Dining Table [Image: Courtesy of Stanislaw Trzebinski]
Small Coffee Table [Image: Courtesy of Stanislaw Trzebinski]
Triton Table [Image: Courtesy of Stanislaw Trzebinski]
French artist Edgar Degas once said, “Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” Stanislaw’s dismembered pieces that incorporate nature call his audience to their responsibility to help restore man’s link to nature. Be it through conversation or curiosity brought on by his detailed anatomy and realism of his work. Whatever your view on the environment or sculptures as an art form, it’s hard to deny that this exceptional artist continues to craft and convey pieces that can’t be ignored.
The Young Man and the Sea 2015 [Image: Courtesy of Stanislaw Trzebinski]
Felicia 2015 [Image: Courtesy of Stanislaw Trzebinski]
Even more so in person, as Chuck Close, the American painter, artist and photographer who achieved fame as a photorealist, put it, “Sculpture occupies real space like we do… you walk around it and relate to it almost as another person or another object.” But until you are able to see them physically, you can see more of his work on his website and social media pages linked below. Also share with us your thoughts on sculptures for interior décor in the comment section below…. Would you incorporate them into your space?
Faith [Image: Courtesy of Stanislaw Trzebinski]
Ortus [Image: Courtesy of Stanislaw Trzebinski]
Lady in the Kelp [Image: Courtesy of Stanislaw Trzebinski]
