Noah's Ark

A native of central Poland, Tadeusz Kowalski (1939-2011) settled in Szczecin in 1958. In 1986, he received a pension, and since then, he started to sculpt. In 1994, he began working on the cycle 'Bible Read with a Chisel', which eventually consisted of more than 130 works. 'Noah's Ark' is one of the most well-known biblical stories, which Kowalski presented engagingly. The relief shows a fragment of the Ark with animals on it. We quickly notice an elephant, a horse, a lion, but there are more animals. We also see Noah taking care of them and the Creator watching over Ark. Like all works by Tadeusz Kowalski, the composition is refined in every detail: in the narrative layer and the execution technique. Various textures applied to the surface of the wood affect the senses: the smooth surface of the sun represents peace, the dense grooves symbolise the spontaneity and well-being of the Ark's passengers, while the broad cuts represent the movement of waves and clouds. The visual effect of the whole is enhanced by the use of several stain tones, which emphasise the three-dimensional impression.

Iwona Karwowska