Miroslaw Balka

Miroslaw Balka is a contemporary Polish sculptor, installation artist, and video artist. He was born on January 6, 1958, in Warsaw, Poland, and grew up during the Communist era.

Balka studied at the Warsaw Academy of Fine Arts in the late 1970s and early 1980s. His work often explores themes of history, memory, and identity, particularly about his experiences growing up in Poland.

One of Balka's most famous works is "How It Is" (2009), a massive steel container that visitors can enter to experience complete darkness. The work, which was commissioned for the Turbine Hall at the Tate Modern in London, is intended to evoke feelings of uncertainty and disorientation and to create an immersive experience that invites visitors to confront their perceptions of space, time, and identity.

Balka has also created many other large-scale installations and sculptures, often using industrial materials like steel, concrete, and wood. Many of his works are characterized by their spare, minimalist aesthetic, and their ability to create powerful emotional responses in viewers.

Balka's work has been exhibited widely in Europe and the United States, including at the Venice Biennale, Documenta in Kassel, and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. In 2009, he was awarded the prestigious Katarzyna Kobro Award for his contributions to Polish art.