Bloom

 

On October 4th we installed 'Bloom' for Aurora's 11th Biennial Art 2C On Havana Street 2022-2024. See my sculpture featured via Aurora TV here: https://onhavanastreet.com/aurora-tv-featured-the-2022-2024-art-2c-on-havana-street-public-art-program/

 To see installation photos of this exciting sculpture, click this blog post: http://www.kasiamosaics.com/2022/10/bloom-sculpture-installation.html

 

Nautilus Shell

 

  Nautilus Shell 

hand made sculpture with concrete and glass mosaic

56" x 38" x 8"

2022  

Available via the City of Alamosa

On September 17th, 2022 the Alamosa Public Works Crew installed my new sculpture Nautilus Shell. It is located on the corner of Main Street and State Street. This is the 6th year that I've participated in Alamosa's Artscape Outdoor Art Sculpture, each year from the start of the program.

For more photos and process images, click to view the blog post about it here: http://www.kasiamosaics.com/2022/09/nautilus-shell-sculpture.html

Prior to installation in Alamosa, the sculpture was displayed at Mystic Valley Sculpture Park- a Collaborative Art Project led by me and my partner Kyle. See images of the Nautilus Shell in a high alpine desert environment by clicking on this blog post: http://www.kasiamosaics.com/2022/06/nautilus-shell.html

Lotus Emerges Sculpture

 Lotus Emerges, a handmade sculpture with handmade ceramic tiles, 4'5" by 4' by 6",  2021

Above photo shows the sculpture installed on Main Street in Alamosa, Colorado. It was part of the 2021/22 Artscape Sculpture Program. To see more photos of this sculpture and some of the process of the making of it, click the link to the blog post about it here: http://www.kasiamosaics.com/2021/10/lotus-emerges-ceramic-tile-sculpture.html

The sculpture is different on both sides. Here is a different view of it, showing the different colored tiles.

In the Autumn of 2022, Lotus Emerges was permanently installed at Mystic Valley Sculpture Park.  It is beautifully set in front of Mt Blanca.

To See more photos of the latest installation, click this link: http://www.kasiamosaics.com/2022/09/lotus-emerges-at-mystic-valley.html

Lotus Flower Installation I and II

Lotus Flower Installation I 

 a set of 5 sculpture with handmade ceramic tiles and glass mosaics 

installed at the Mystic Valley Sculpture Park

 

Detail of one of the 5 flowers facing toward the setting sun.

 

Lotus Flower Installation II
a set of 5 sculpture with handmade ceramic tiles and glass mosaics
installed at the Mystic Valley Sculpture Park

Detail of one of the flowers facing Eastward toward the rising sun.

Good Omen - A Feather Installation

Good Omen - A feather installation

hand sculpted, custom feather shapes covered on both sides by hand made ceramic tiles and glass mosaics

10ft by 40ft

Permanently installed at the Mystic Valley Sculpture Park

To see lots and lots of process and installation photos and detail, click the 5 part blog series about this huge project.

Part 1 of 5 of the Making and Installation of the Feathers

Part 2 of 5 of the Making and Installation of the Feathers 

Part 3 of 5 of the Making and Installation of the Feathers 

Part 4 of 5 of the Making and Installation of the Feathers

Part 5 of 5 of the Making and Installation of the Feathers 

 

 

Artbitrium

Artbitrium, a solid sculpture covered in a hand-cut stained glass mosaic, 4ft x 4ft, 2020 ~SOLD

Above is my sculpture in front of the medical center in Alamosa. I was very pleased that my sculpture 'Arbitrium' was purchased and donated to SLV Health where I gave birth to both my sons.

Click the Link Below to See More Photos and the Making of this sculpture:

http://www.kasiamosaics.com/2020/11/artbitrium.html

 

This sculpture was displayed as Part of Alamosa's Public Art Program.

 

 

Artist Statement About the Sculpture: The Moth demonstrates pure determination, always searching out light in darkness. Though, if in this quest, it stumbles upon a 'burning' brightness, the fragility of its body will succumb to it. The strength of the moth's faith is divine yet can bring upon a sudden melancholia when its vulnerability gets the best of it - the Moth reminds us to beware of 'Blind Faith'. 

Reflection of Innerself II

Reflection of Inner Self II, a solid sculpture covered in a hand-cut stained glass mosaic, 7ft x 2ft x 2ft, 2019

 

This sculpture was displayed as part of Alamosa's Public Art Program and is now permanently installed at the Mystic Valley Sculpture Park seen below.

 

Click the Link to See More Photos and the Making of this sculpture:

  http://www.kasiamosaics.com/2019/10/reflection-of-innerself-ii_21.html

Artist Statement for Sculpture: The exterior of our home may rarely reflect our true self. This colorful house is an expression of personal identity. Wouldn't our neighborhoods be more interesting places, if for instance, each house would be uniquely representational of some aspect of its inhabitants' personality? Wouldn't it make things more interesting if you could learn something special about your neighbor just by looking at the exterior of his or her home, a true extension of their complex inner-selves?  

Artemis - A Kasia and Kyle Collaboration

Artemis temporarily installed in Downtown Colorado Springs, 7feet tall, 2019

 

 

 

Click the Link to See More Photos and the Making of Artemis: http://www.kasiamosaics.com/2019/05/artemis-mosaic-owl-sculpture.html

Artemis is a collaborative sculpture between artist Kyle Cunniff and myself. Kyle sculpted the 7ft tall form while I created the custom hand cut stained glass mosaic as well as the custom handmade ceramic tiles to adorn the sculpture.  

Artemis is pernamently installed at the Mystic Valley Sculpture Park as Seen Below. Click this link to see installation: http://www.kasiamosaics.com/2021/09/artemis-at-mystic-valley-sculpture-park.html

Our sculpture was inspired by the owl's prevalence in pop culture. Owls seem to have burrowed themselves into many aspects of our lives - fashion, design, art etc. These mysterious, nocturnal creatures have captivated the human mind. These are enigmatic creatures of the night and symbolically they are the keepers of sacred knowledge. They have sparked our curiosity and through it have found their way into our hearts. Every time I see an owl - a real one up in a tree or a man made tribute - it is a treat. With this sculpture I wanted to share my love of this enchanted creature. I hope that each passerby that encounters this large mosaiced owl is reminded of the mysteries, the magic and the beauty that comes from nature and that cane come from within us.

Coyote Family

Coyote Family

a set of stained glass mosaic sculptures

50"tall

2019

These sculptures are part of the permanent collection at the Mystic Valley Sculpture Park in Mosca, Colorado

Reflection of Inner Self

Reflection of Inner Self 

 a solid foam and concrete form covered in a hand cut stained glass mosaic 

6ft x 29in x 29"

2019

This sculpture is permanently installed at the Mystic Valley Sculpture Park. It was displayed in Carbondale for a Public Art Exhibit.

 The exterior of our home may rarely reflect our true self. This colorful house is an expression of personal identity. Wouldn't our neighborhoods be more interesting places, if for instance, each house would be uniquely representational of some aspect of its inhabitants' personality? Wouldn't it make things more fun if you could learn something special about your neighbor just by looking at the exterior of his or her home, a true extension of their complex inner-selves?

American Gothic Bunnies

American Gothic Bunnies

a set of stained glass mosaic sculptures

84" x 36" each

2019

These sculptures are part of the permanent collection at the Mystic Valley Sculpture Park in Mosca, Colorado

The Bears - Tomek and Jurek

The Bears - Tomek and Jurek

a set of stained glass mosaic sculptures

60" x 24" each

2018

These sculptures are part of the permanent collection at the Mystic Valley Sculpture Park in Mosca, Colorado

Chipeta-Mai ~ A Kasia and Kyle Collaboration

Chipeta-Mai 

a stained glass mosaic sculpture for indoor/outdoor display

48in x 24in x 24in

 2018 

by Kasia Polkowska and Kyle Cunniff 

Permanently Installed at the Mystic Valley Sculpture Park

Click this link to see images from Great Sand Dunes National Park Photoshoot: http://www.kasiamosaics.com/2018/04/chipeta-mai-handcrafted-glass.html 

 

Chipeta-Mai was displayed as part of two Public Art Installations, in Colorado Springs where she won a Juror's Award and in Longmont.

 

Artist Statement for the Sculpture: Chipeta-Mai is a cross-cultural matryoshka doll. Historically, the first Matryoshka Doll was made in Russia and has since become a symbol in Eastern European Culture where Kasia was born. This doll was sculpted by hand by Kyle who worked to inspire the nostalgia one often feels when laying eyes on the form of a nesting doll. The doll is adorned in a bright, colorful, hand cut stained glass mosaic pattern created by Kasia. To give her a sense of place, she was named to honor the people who's ancestral land we inhabit, focusing on Colorado where the artist team lives. Chipeta was a famous Ute woman known for diplomacy while Mai (Navajo for bright flower) was added to the end of her name for the flower she bears on her belly as many traditional matryoshkas do. The warm southwestern colors of the doll further reflect the state where she was realized. The bright orange that wraps around her belly mirrors the sedimentary beds of deep-red and pink sandstone seen jutting out of the soil along the front range of Colorado. Her headscarf was inspired by the bright blue sky that's so often filled with sunshine and hangs high above the mountains. This doll is a modern artifact emulating the artists' interest in the landscape they inhabit as well as the people that roamed that land long before them.

Trouvaille

Trouvaille ~SOLD (Purchased by the City of Alamosa)

a stained glass mosaic sculpture 

84" x 22"

2018

 

 Click the Below link to see process photos and full blog post:  

http://www.kasiamosaics.com/2018/04/trouvaille.html

Going back to childhood, many people may recall the excitement of finding a feather on the ground. It was a magical moment and it seemed that the feather was a gift from above. People may not realize but various cultures around the world also believed that feathers had a connection to the heavens. Some believed that they carried messages from the gods. Stumbling upon a feather is believed to be a good omen, a sign that you are on the right path. It is a message to soar above where you are spiritually and to look at the world from a higher perspective. This mosaic feather was created with that in-mind, to be a good omen for the passerby's. It aims to be an uplifting landmark and to delight visitors and residents a like, to provide a sensory experience of whimsical patterns, a warm welcoming color palette and a spiritual connection to its location.

Johona-Mai ~ A Kasia and Kyle Collaboration

Johona-Mai 

a stained glass mosaic sculpture for indoor/outdoor display

48in x 24in x 24in

 2017 

by Kasia Polkowska and Kyle Cunniff 

Permanently Installation at the Mystic Valley Sculpture Park
 
Click the link below to see lots of process photos and the full blog post on this sculpture:  

http://www.kasiamosaics.com/2017/01/a-mosaic-matryoshka-doll-collaboraion.html

Johona-Mai was sculpted by hand and is adorned in a modern, colorful, hand cut stained glass mosaic pattern. Her form originates from Russia, where the first Matryoshka Doll was made and has since become a symbol in Eastern European Culture where Kasia was born.  Today the doll has a place in contemporary pop culture around the world. The form of our doll was kept traditional to inspire the nostalgia one often feels when laying eyes on a nesting doll.  The decorative motif highlights the purity of the form with color, pattern and the innocence of a flower often present on traditional dolls but with a contemporary flair.

 

Johona-Mai was part of 3 different public art programs in Alamosa, Carbondale and in Manitou Springs. She won the people's choice award in both Alamosa and Carbondale. Click this link to see the Alamosa Installation: http://www.kasiamosaics.com/2017/07/johona-mai-sculpture-installation.html

 

To see photos from the 1st Mount Blanca Photo Shoot, go here: http://www.kasiamosaics.com/2017/01/johona-mai-stained-glass-mosaic.html 

Matryoshka - A Kasia and Kyle Collaboration

Matryoshka ~SOLD
a stained glass mosaic sculpture for indoor display

24" x 14"

2011 

mosaic by Kasia Polkowska

sculpture by Kyle Cunniff 

 

To see the making of our first Matryoshka, click the link below:

http://www.kasiamosaics.com/2012/01/collaborative-matryoshka-sculpture-kk.html 

 

The Matryoshka Doll sculpture was a collaborative effort between me (Kasia) a mosaic artist and Kyle a designer.  We have collaborated in the past, but this is by far our most fruitful project to date.  For a couple of years we've been toying with the idea of creating a mosaic sculpture.  Finally when the doll came up, we knew that it was the perfect subject.  The curves are pleasing to the eye and the form is suitable for applying a mosaic to it.  Creating the form alone was a huge undertaking.  Kyle spent weeks researching, sculpting and prepping the form for me to mosaic over.  I've also spent weeks researching the doll, designing our concept, theme and colors, and fabricating the mosaic.  Our doll is a youthful, curvy and joyful.  She is a symbol of fertility as other Matryoshka dolls are.  She is pure and vailed in white.  Her eyes and the pin that holds her scarf in place are green like the jade stone which symbolized life and growth.  Her belly, which will swell with life and protect her growing children, is covered with a lotus flower which signifies purity, enlightenment, self-regeneration and rebirth.