Between Chainsaws and Change: How Sculpture Network Empowered Anna Mrzyglod’s Artistic Journey

From a small town in Poland shaped by religious dogma to the vibrant art scene of Düsseldorf, the story of sculptor Anna Mrzyglod is one of resilience, reinvention, and artistic freedom. Sculpture Network has been both companion and catalyst along the way.

Born in Wadowice, a town known as the birthplace of Pope John Paul II, Polish-born artist Anna Mrzyglod began her creative life in a place where the boundaries of artistic expression were tightly drawn. “It was a so-called ‘holy city,’” Mrzyglod recalls. “That was the only topic allowed in art. Any other subject matter wasn’t supported.” Though she completed her MFA in sculpture there, she knew early on that she needed to leave to find artistic freedom.

Her initial destination was the liberal Netherlands—but life took a different turn. “It was quicker to find a small apartment just over the German border,” she explains. That unplanned stop would become the foundation for her real life—personally and artistically. “That’s where my life truly began.”

Art Through Adversity

After relocating to Germany, Mrzyglod faced years of personal hardship. She raised her three sons alone in a foreign country after their father left, worked at model-making companies like Preiser Miniaturen and Miniatur Wunderland to stay connected to sculpture, and carved at night once her children were asleep.

“Not exactly my dream life,” she admits. “I had always loved monumental chainsaw sculptures made from solid wood.” But necessity dictated modest means.

Eventually, an unexpected opportunity gave her more space—literally and figuratively. A friend offered her a Belgian farmhouse, where she could sculpt loudly while her children played. It marked a turning point. “I began selling my sculptures, receiving new commissions, learning the language, and researching the German art scene. I wanted art!”

A Spark Named Sculpture Network

Her search led her to Sculpture Network—a discovery that shaped the trajectory of her practice. “I stumbled upon Sculpture Network… and wow! It inspired me deeply,” Mrzyglod says. Despite the language barrier, she read every article she could. “I wanted more art!”

Motivated, she moved to Düsseldorf with her children—a city brimming with cultural life—and began carving out a real artistic existence. She found community in respected associations like MALKASTEN and the Düsseldorf Artists Association (1844). But it was Sculpture Network that gave her the tools and opportunities to go beyond local recognition.

“Sculpture Network follows me every day, every year! It opens doors to diverse, often political and critical themes. Through it, my artistic work shifted away from the religiously charged tradition of my upbringing to more personal and socially relevant topics.”

From Wadowice to Amsterdam: International Recognition

Thanks to the calls for artists posted by Sculpture Network, Mrzyglod was able to apply for—and be accepted to—some of the most prestigious European exhibitions and symposia.

In 2023, she presented The Bear at ARTZUID, the internationally renowned sculpture biennial in Amsterdam. The monumental teddy bear, both playful and profound, functioned as a public memorial. It had already been shown in the large annual exhibition "Die Große" in Düsseldorf in 2022. “It’s a piece that touches both children and adults—it’s about memory, vulnerability, and care,” she says.

Another highlight was her nomination for the Staatspreis Manufactum 2021, with her work exhibited at the Museum für Kunst und Kulturgeschichte in Dortmund.

And in 2024, her participation in aquaMediale in Lübben (Spreewald) earned her a dedicated art prize. “It’s a collaborative project between scientists and artists set in a UNESCO biosphere reserve—an incredibly inspiring environment,” Mrzyglod explains.

“Between these milestones, of course, were many rejections,” she adds with honesty. “Not being selected for a call is always painful. But these highlights keep me going and give me the strength not to abandon this thorny path.”

A Future Sculpted in Confidence

Today, Mrzyglod has her own studio in Düsseldorf, where she can finally be loud and limitless. Her sculptures regularly appear in galleries across Germany and beyond. Her style has evolved to embrace vibrant colors and bolder themes. “I slowly dared to commit the sacrilege of painting my carved sculptures,” she notes with a smile, referencing her Pop Art cycle.

Works like Der Stehende and Die Puppe challenge traditional views of femininity and “otherness,” particularly within the conservative Polish context. Her art now stands as a personal, political, and deeply emotional testimony.

Reflecting on her journey, Mrzyglod says, “I’ve made it! A happy mother and fulfilled artist. I’ve fallen in love again—with life, with art—and I’m deeply connected to my creative path.” Sculpture Network, she emphasizes, was a major part of this transformation. “It enabled me to keep growing, even in the darkest times.”

Looking Forward

Though proud of how far she’s come, Anna Mrzyglod is far from finished. “There’s still a long way to go, and I’m hungry and curious for more!” she says.

Her ultimate goal? “To keep developing artistically and create sustainable works of art—works that move people, challenge them, make them think.”

Through chainsaws, challenges, and the unwavering support of a network that believed in her potential, Anna Mrzyglod has carved out not just sculptures, but a life. And the art world is better for it.