It was in Pietrasanta, near the famous Carrara quarries, that Mitoraj settled in the late 1970s and lived until his death in 2014.
The Museo Mitoraj is housed in a former covered market, which, following a major redevelopment, has been transformed into a contemporary exhibition structure. It was established thanks to a joint initiative by the Italian Ministry of Culture, the Mayor of Pietrasanta, the region of Tuscany, and the artist’s heirs.
The inaugural exhibition, entitled “Mitoraj. Present”, features a cross-section of the artist’s output – 69 works of different sizes and created in various techniques.
In an interview with the PAP Polish Press Agency, the director of Museo Mitoraj Frank Boehm has described Mitoraj as one of the most outstanding artists of the past several decades.
He said plans for the future comprise more exhibitions of Mitoraj’s sculptures, including those loaned from other collections, adding that he hopes the new museum will become an important centre for modern art in the international scene.
Museo Mitoraj is the only museum devoted entirely to a Polish artist located outside Poland.
Mitoraj had more than 120 one-man shows of his sculptures and drawings across the world. His giant sculptures, such as heads lying on ancient cobblestones, or torsos missing their limbs, can be found in the public spaces in Paris, Rome, Milan, London, Lousanne, Kraków, as well in American and Japanese cities.
Mitoraj’s honours include the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Reborn Poland and the Gold Gloria Artis Medal of Merit for Culture.
He died in Paris in 2024, aged 70, and is buried in Pietrasanta, a town which granted him an honorary citizenship.
(mk/mo)