In the centre of Zdunska Wola, on the roundabout next to the town hall, stood a monumental form by Beata Szczepaniak, a sculptor and designer from the town. The work is entitled ‘Splot’ and was created on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of Zduńska Wola. This is a unique artistic event, as it is the first abstract urban sculpture in Zdunska Wola and one of the few realisations of this type in smaller Polish cities.
An abstract form with a strong message
The seven-metre-high sculpture was made from weathering steel, a material with a distinctive rusty-brown patina that acquires even greater depth and nobility with time. Weave. The new sculpture introduces a modern language of form into the urban space, while drawing on the history and identity of Zdunska Wola.
The sculpture consists of three vertical forms that interweave and point in different directions. They symbolise the three cultures – Polish, German and Jewish – that have been co-creating the city’s history for two centuries. Their entanglement is a metaphor for encounter, dialogue and a common heritage that endures despite the passage of time.
Splot – a tribute to the history and identity of Zdunska Wola
The artist emphasises that the idea for the sculpture was born out of a need to pay tribute to her hometown and its multicultural roots.
“I wanted the sculpture to become a form of tribute to my city – capturing its history and traditions in a symbol. ‘Splot’ is a weave of threads, roads and cultures – a metaphorical signpost and a bridge between the past and the present.” – Beata Szczepaniak
The sculpture is symbolic – combining an element of memory and a modern approach to public space. It is an artistic ‘encounter’ between history and the present that attracts the attention of both residents and visitors to Zduńska Wola.
Weave is also a more direct reference. By using the weave, the artist also refers to the symbolic weave of threads that were interwoven in the local factories for two centuries. As Beata Szczepaniak adds: ‘Zduńska Wola is a younger and smaller sister of Łódź.
Korten steel – durability and expression
The material used to make the sculpture was not chosen at random. With its unique texture and colour, weathering steel blends in perfectly with its urban surroundings. Its surface changes according to the light and weather, making the work live in the rhythm of the city.
On the one hand, it creates a clear contrast with the classic architecture of the surrounding buildings, while on the other, it harmoniously blends in with the modern body of the town hall. As a result, the sculpture has become a new landmark and visual symbol of Zduńska Wola.
Splot. New sculpture as a dialogue with space
Anyone who stops by the sculpture can see that the Weave changes depending on the perspective. It looks different from each side – the play of light and shadow gives the form a dynamic and profound effect. It is a work that invites reflection and at the same time naturally becomes part of the urban landscape.
Project data
Author: Beata Szczepaniak
Title: Splot
Location: roundabout by the town hall, Zduńska Wola
Material: weathering steel
Height: 750 cm
Year of creation: 2025
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