Ryszard Krawiec (born 1946 in Poznań) is a doctor specializing in neurology and radiology. He lives in one of Poznań’s most beautiful suburbs, Puszczykowo. For over 20 years he has been sculpturing from tree branches, mostly pine. His main theme, an effigy of dying on the cross Jesus, brought him great public response. Ryszard draws his inspiration from branches and twigs found in parks, gardens and forests. After little artistic touch, the branches become sculptures depicting Christ’s Passion. From those obviously unique wooden pieces, unique studies of suffering and death are being created. Author does not change the nature of sculpturing material by using polychrome or varnish, therefore the tree rings and gnarls are clearly visible, underlying even more of the captured moment.

Ryszard has for many years worked as a doctor. The closeness of suffering and death has been often present in his daily practice. Undoubtedly, that experience adds value to his perception of the world and his artistic visions. He admits that in his work he is trying to humanize the suffering of dying God. Ryszard opposes to common ways of depicting Christ’s death in the traditional iconography.

The three subjects: religion, suffering, and nature are uniquely interwoven in his work. By a gentle touch of imagination, the artist molds the raw pieces of nature into his crosses. The dying God sculptured from dead branches of what once used to be a tree draws our attention to nature, so often abused by us.

The author underlines that his Jesus has not died, he is struggling and succumbs to short death only to Resurrect. Christ’s death gives us hope in all dimensions. Wooden cross made from tree branches is so closely bound with nature and may definitely serve as an eye-opener for all. There is still hope that we will avoid ecological disaster despite all the damage that has already been done. Suffering and death always give us a reason to reflect on our tight bounds with the surrounding world.

Ryszard created about 300 works altogether. They were exhibited in many places in Poland as well as abroad (Germany, Austria, France, Sweden). He proudly mentions that in 1983, one of his crosses has been accepted as a gift by John Paul II.

„My Christ suffers like surrounding us nature”.