Dorota NIEZNALSKA (b. 1973), Patrons, Margaret, 2021

patinated bronze; 19 x 17 cm;
tiara placed in author's box padded with red velvet, with author's printed sticker on bottom: Dorota Nieznalska / Patronesses, Margaret 2021 / patinated bronze / copy: 1/1 unique / D. Nieznalska [handwritten signature].

Dorota Nieznalska's Patroness series of sculptures are objects in the form of a tiara, a thorn band, which here is the equivalent of a man's crown of thorns, dedicated to women and last year's events (Black March), in the author's opinion unacceptably restricting their rights of self-determination and interfering with human rights. This is definitely a symbolic message in the Polish context.
The motif of a crown, wreath or band of thorns has been explored by the artist since 2005, when she created a poster design for the competition My Life, My Decision, organized by the Federation for Women and Family Planning - the placard shows a woman's body entwined at the waist with barbed wire. Further realizations using one of the elements of "arma Christi" are Wreath of Mystic, King and Queen of Poland realized in 2008, where in the case of the sculpture / installation Queen of Poland the spikes were made of polished amber. In 2009 the artist prepared the object Red K. repeating the motif already known from the previously mentioned installation using this time polished natural coral. In 2010, Dorota Nieznalska produced sculptures from the series Garlands, which, under the title suggesting youth, vitality, innocence or hope of young women, took the form of thorn bands fitting on a human head.