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Rhythm of Life; The Journey through Adversity

Wiktoria Snopek

Profile picture of Wiktoria Snopek

Wiktoria Snopek (b.2001, Poland) is a ceramic artist. Her desire to romanticise clay through the possibility of freezing moments, especially facets of life, is feasible via abstraction and sculpture. The idea that these terms are unbalanced demonstrate phases clay that can be found in and moulded into; collectables designed to represent layers of influence that make up who we are.

Wiktoria Snopek (b.2001, Poland) is a ceramic artist. Her desire to romanticise clay through the ...

Wiktoria Snopek observes nature from a philosophical perspective and contemplates those terms from a place of consideration for one's inner self. Her sculptures are an analogy for thoughts, emotions, gratefulness, human fragility and state of soul. This is important because nothing in life; be it good or bad, is permanent. Life comes and goes. Therefore, every moment should be indulged in and fully experienced.

The work serves as a reminder for the viewer to appreciate how far they’ve succeeded in life. Her interest in the versatility of botanical beings growing in hostile environments, such as weeds flourishing amongst brick walls or lichen growing on a post box is translated through a poetic narrative of cherishing and acknowledging every moment.

Final work

Two earthenware rock-like sculptures. Both pieces have sharp edges with flowers on top.
Hero shot from above of earthenware sculpture. Two flowers unfolding.
Hero shot of terracotta piece. Blue and white glaze, looking almost like a tip of a mountain.

Facets of Life

The idea that flowers similarly like us are growing, fading away and dying. The visual representation of flora surviving adversity is established through crushed surface design, flatten terracotta, buff and porcelain flowers with a rolling pin. As well as, placing ceramic flowers on rock-like terracotta forms which are pinched and pulled in different directions.  A depiction of vulnerable states and stages in the cycle of life.

Pressed down, flattened ceramic flowers.

Freezing Moments

She intentionally honed glaze skills through researching special effect glazes, such as crystalline glaze, as they mirror the complexity of life. Crystalline glazes are complicated to achieve due to the intensive kiln firing cycle. She intuitively applies layers of different glazes at random in order to achieve more effects, portraying the ideology of being present. 

Softness of flowers juxtaposes harsh permanence of ceramics, metaphorically and literally, to convey that despite limitations flowers are persistent and will continue to flourish; reflecting human nature. Resilience of the natural world draws a parallel for one's strength and endurance, signifying that everything will work out.

Research and process

Brick red-orange terracotta piece with a peony attached.
Close up of hands. Attaching a peony on top of a rock-like form. Dark brown.

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Rhythm of Life; The Journey through Adversity

Wiktoria Snopek observes nature from a philosophical perspective and contemplates those terms from a place of consideration for one's inner self. Her sculptures are an analogy for thoughts, emotions, gratefulness, human fragility and...

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