Adam Myjak

Professor Adam Myjak is a renowned sculptor and educator at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, where he runs the Sculpture Studio. Born in 1947 in Stary Sącz, he has been a professor since 1990 and served as Rector of the Academy for three terms (1990-1996, 1999-2005, 2012-2020), significantly influencing Polish art education during transformative periods.

Myjak began his studies at the Faculty of Sculpture at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw in 1965, graduating with distinction in 1971. He also served as Head of the Sculpture Department at Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin. Artistically, he debuted with the 'New Figuration' movement of the 1970s, co-founded the 'For Improvement' movement, and served as art editor for 'Nowy Wyraz' magazine. His work evolved from soft-textured heads to more synthetic surface treatments combining matte and polished surfaces, with his signature walking, elongated openwork 'Figures' emerging in the mid-1980s.

Professor Myjak's artistic output includes monumental works such as the 'Homo Homini' monument in Kielce (2006), busts of Krzysztof Penderecki (2013) and Prime Minister Tadeusz Mazowiecki (2014), and the quadriga at the Grand Theatre. He has held over 100 solo exhibitions worldwide, including at Zachęta – National Gallery of Art in Warsaw (1993, 2005) and Lehmbruck Museum in Duisburg (1981).

Scientific Awards and Honors

• Złoty Medal Gloria Artis (2005) - highest distinction for contributions to culture
• Member of Polish Academy of Learning (2009)
• Olympic Laurel 2016 for sculpture 'Jeździec' (2017)
• Cyprian Kamil Norwid 'Life's Work' Award (2019)
• Doctor Honoris Causa from Lviv National Academy of Arts (2019)
• Honorary Citizen of Międzyzdroje (2013), Mrągowo (2014), and Sandomierz (2016)

Professor Myjak has established permanent galleries of his work at the European Center for Music named after Krzysztof Penderecki (2013) and the Center for Theatrical Practices in Gardzienice (2015). He also co-runs the 'Opera' Gallery at the Grand Theatre with Waldemar Dąbrowski. His ongoing relevance in contemporary art is evidenced by the 2024 solo exhibition 'Adam Myjak. Sculpture' at the Rozruch Art Gallery in Poznań.