Miroslaw Balka

Miroslaw Balka is a Polish artist and sculptor born in Warsaw in 1958, internationally recognized for his works exploring themes of historical memory, identity, and trauma. He graduated in 1985 from the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw and has developed a unique artistic language combining sculpture, video, drawing, and sound installations. His works often carry autobiographical and collective memory references, particularly related to the Holocaust and Polish history. Raised in Otwock near Warsaw, Balka draws inspiration from his personal experience and family history, reflected in his claustrophobic and intense creations. His art has been exhibited in major museums worldwide, including Sigmund Freud's house-museum in London, where he established a dialogue between his work and historical memory. Balka lives and works between Otwock and Oliva, Spain. Among his notable works is "Holding the Horizon" (2017), a matte gold hot-stamped print on black paper, exhibited in prestigious venues such as Pirelli Hangar Bicocca in Milan. His artistic practice is distinguished by the absence of redemptive intent, focusing instead on critical reflection on memory and history, making his art a powerful contemporary counter-memorial.