Mr Piotr Rogaliński has been involved in creative work at the intersection of theatre, music and visual arts for 30 years.
He creates “sculpture-toys” and carolling props. Based on traditional designs, he also makes decorations and stage sets for concerts and performances.
As he says:
“I currently live in Greater Poland, but my mother comes from the Tarnów region and she often told me about carolling traditions and going around with the turon. I took my first steps as a caroller at around the age of 10 – with costumes I had made myself.”
This is where his current interest in, among other things, creating carolling masks and figures comes from.
He creates his works by hand, mainly in wood, leaving the material in its natural state or colouring it with earth pigments or wax. His sculptures are inspired by old designs borrowed from other artists or found in archival materials.
“For about five years, I have also been working on a sculptural project entitled ‘Nie-zabawki’ (‘Non-toys’), in which I try to give folk toys a new meaning by placing them in new contexts. In this way, I aim to make them a living and relevant means of artistic expression, allowing the potential hidden in folk toys to be used in a dialogue with the present day and to address important issues concerning adults.”
In addition to sculptures and props, he also creates accessories for drummers, such as sticks, wires, triangle beaters, and brass jingles.
As an actor, he co-created performances at Teatr Studio Czyczkowy and Teatr Węgajty. He leads theatre workshops for young people and people with disabilities. He prepares children’s broadcasts on topics related to folk culture. For several years, he has also played in bands presenting traditional music.
He is the author of numerous artistic arrangements for historical exhibitions and concerts, including those at the Museum of Poznań June 1956 in Poznań.
He has collaborated with institutions such as the Institute of National Remembrance (IPN) in Poznań, the Museum of Independence Struggles in Poznań, Dom Bretanii, CK Zamek in Poznań, and the Mieczysław Karłowicz Philharmonic in Szczecin.
He is a member of the Stowarzyszenie Dom Tańca Poznań. In 2021, he received a scholarship from the Minister of Culture and National Heritage in the field of folk art.
Photo: Zielone Oko
