Igor Mitoraj was one of the most outstanding Polish sculptors, known worldwide for his unique style that blended classical elements with modern forms. He was born in 1944 in Oederan, Germany, to a Polish laborer and a French prisoner of war. After the war, his mother returned to Poland with him, and Mitoraj grew up in Grojec. He began his artistic education at the Fine Arts High School in Bielsko-Biała, and in 1963, he enrolled at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków, where he studied painting under Tadeusz Kantor.
After graduating in 1968, he moved to Paris, where he continued his studies at the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts. Initially, he focused on painting and graphic arts, but soon discovered his passion for sculpture, which came to define his artistic career. Mitoraj drew inspiration from antiquity and Greek and Roman mythology, reflected in the titles of his works, such as “Icarus” and “Eros.” His sculptures combined classical beauty with modern deformations—he deliberately depicted damage and cracks, symbolizing the imperfection of human nature.
A distinctive feature of his works was the lips, often modeled after his own, serving as a kind of "signature" of the artist. Mitoraj gained recognition both in Poland and globally, and his works can be admired in many prestigious locations across different continents. He passed away in 2014, leaving a lasting impact on both Polish and international art.
