In 2024, to mark the 20th anniversary of Poland’s accession to the European Union and the EU flag, the Supreme Court in Warsaw decided to commemorate these events with a glass sculpture. Artist Edyta Barańska was invited to participate in the competition along with five other glass artists. She was later informed that she had been selected for the project.
Creating a sculpture that conveys the lightness of fluttering fabric from glass, a rigid and unpredictable material, presented many challenges. Barańska drew inspiration from movement, taking photographs of fabric in the wind and studying its patterns. She wanted to capture the moment when a flag is lifted but still remains dynamic.
“It’s difficult to create something light from a hard material like glass. That’s why I was searching for a texture and form that would symbolically reference a waving fabric. I took photos of cloth moving in the wind and sketched its natural flow. I also knew the piece had to remain within a weight limit, so I had to find a way to create a three-dimensional form while keeping it ‘light’,” she explains.
The sculpture’s symbolism was also intended to resonate with the space where it was to be installed. The Supreme Court is a place where people’s fates are decided daily, and themes of justice, law, and providence were key elements Barańska wanted to incorporate. The final concept featured a woman’s silhouette, symbolically drawn by the surrounding space and architecture, combined with the flag motif. This female figure was intended to represent justice, wisdom, or a protective presence.
“The location itself dictated the theme—court, justice, and providence, which has a feminine aspect. As I searched for a way to connect these two elements, I realized that empty space can also function as a spatial form. I decided to use the Supreme Court’s majestic building as a backdrop, embedding the female figure into the symbolic glass flag, ‘drawn’ by the space and surroundings,” she describes. “Glass has a wonderful quality of being transparent and interacting beautifully with light. The sculpture changes in appearance depending on the time of day, standing in front of a large window.”
The project’s execution was technically and logistically demanding. The large glass panels required precise assembly, and transporting the sculpture required careful planning, as glass can be unpredictable and easily damaged. However, with her experience and a trusted team, Barańska was able to overcome these challenges. The sculpture was successfully transported and installed within a day.
“Once the design was approved, the realization process was quite complex due to the large size of the glass panels, the need for a secure mounting system, and a custom base. Fortunately, I am surrounded by a great team—my employees and subcontractors—who I have worked with for years and can always rely on during intense projects,” says Barańska.
The final result is a sculpture that interacts with light. During the day, it reflects sunlight, blending into its surroundings, while at night it takes on a different appearance. Located in the entrance lobby of the Supreme Court building, it commemorates Poland’s 20 years in the European Union and symbolizes the merging of art, justice, and European values in public space.
Photos: Bartek Barczyk
About the Artist:
Edyta Barańska, a graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Wrocław, has been running her studio for over 20 years. She creates chandeliers, artistic installations, monuments, and fountains, with her works found in various locations including hotels like Hilton, Sheraton, and Marriott, as well as private residences in places such as New York and Dubai.
