Published: 19 November 2025
"Cut and Polished" — an exhibition on crystal glass co-created by School of Form lecturers
Author: Magdalena Miszewska
The SIC! Gallery in Wrocław is currently showcasing "Cuts and Polished," an exhibition dedicated to "crystal" glassware—lead glass vessels adorned with decorative engravings. Once seen as symbols of luxury and social status in communist Poland, these objects serve as a starting point for a broader story about craftsmanship, the materiality of glass, and the meanings we attach to everyday objects. The exhibition is curated by Professor Ewa Klekot and Dr. Agnieszka Rayss, who are also among the featured artists.
Vessels as carriers of memory
Crystal glasses and carafes, once stored away in household cabinets and brought out only for special occasions, are an iconic part of the material culture of the Polish People’s Republic (PRL). The exhibition "Cuts and Polished" explores their history—from production in the glassworks to their role in family rituals and celebrations.
The exhibition features a variety of works, including photographs by Dr. Agnieszka Rayss, objects by Katarzyna Harasym made from damaged and forgotten glassware, and a glass installation by Aleksander Baszyński, crafted entirely from glasses. An essential element of the exhibition is a series of audio recordings featuring stories from workers of the Julia Crystal Glassworks, collected by Professor Ewa Klekot.
Learn more about the exhibition
Practical information
Cut and Polished. An Exhibition on Crystal Glass and the Julia Glassworks
Where: SIC! Gallery BWA Wrocław, pl. Tadeusza Kościuszki 9
When: November 14, 2025 – March 8, 2026
Curators: Ewa Klekot, Agnieszka Rayss
Artists: Aleksander Baszyński, Katarzyna Harasym, Ewa Klekot, Agnieszka Rayss
Co-organizer: Julia Crystal Glassworks
Partner: SWPS University
The project has been carried out with the financial support of SWPS University.
