Paweł Jasiewicz’s New Wood-Based Exhibition: “Let There Be Light” at Craftica Gallery

In the middle of December — that familiar rush before Christmas, when people are still in the city before escaping on holiday — I arrived at the opening of Paweł Jasiewicz’s new solo exhibition Let There Be Light, presented at Craftica Gallery, a Warsaw gallery dedicated to Polish craftsmanship (kunszt) and contemporary design.

This is not an exhibition about functional design or objects meant to serve us for decades. Instead, it focuses on form, texture, fragility, (...) a story unfolding between design and art.

The space was already alive: filled with people, conversations echoing from every corner, candlelight, warm lamps, and staff moving with quiet precision so as not to interrupt anyone while offering wine and small bites.

And somewhere between these groups of guests — after a few brief conversations — I finally reached the room that was the true centre of the evening: Paweł’s exhibition.

This is not an exhibition about functional design or objects meant to serve us for decades. Instead, it focuses on form, texture, fragility, and the tension between usefulness and the fleeting nature of life — a story unfolding between design and art.

A room of reliefs

The exhibition unfolds in an intimate, separate room where Jasiewicz’s larch objects take shape. The first thing that drew my attention was the refined ruby fabric-lined wall, across which the Alto reliefs are arranged — a cycle of twelve larch panels. The backdrop elevates the softness of the wood, creating a subtle rhythm between the pieces. Look at them long enough, and the composition becomes almost hypnotic.

Each relief attempts to uncover the essence of wood through its unique grain. With repeated, meditative movements, the artist carves the surface into waves — like ripples spreading across water after a stone is thrown. Every work becomes a dialogue between craftsmanship and nature — and perhaps something deeper.

Hani lamps, created after his three-month stay in Japan in 2015. Made from delicate cedar and inspired by origami...

Hani lamps and more

Another element that caught my attention was Jasiewicz’s Hani lamps, created after his three-month stay in Japan in 2015. Made from delicate cedar and inspired by origami, their colour palette resonates with the larch reliefs, creating a visual continuity across the space.

Alongside them, the exhibition also presents Mizu Reliefs — a series exploring the phenomenon of water, capturing fleeting patterns formed by wind and current. For the artist, these works attempt to “hold” a moment in wood.

Tribute is an object seeking balance, resisting literal interpretation. It “sounds” in space — not acoustically, but through its delicate presence and the resonance of larch.

Endless, a series of small columns made from grooved larch modules, reflects on the human desire for harmony between the earthly and the spiritual.

Wood as a form of meditation

For Jasiewicz, working with wood is both meditation and pleasure. He enjoys exploring the possibilities of softwoods — often underestimated — pushing their structure to the limit in search of new artistic gestures. His persistence in experimenting with the material reveals its noble qualities and unexpected meanings. And when I spoke to him, I could feel his dedication to it.

Paweł Jasiewicz is a furniture designer, artist, and lecturer at the Faculty of Industrial Design at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw. As a researcher, he travels to workshops around the world, documenting diverse approaches to working with wood.

His practice is guided by curiosity and respect for material — qualities that shape this exhibition. It’s fascinating to see how a seemingly modest and often underestimated material can find a new life in someone’s hands, especially when the final forms are so refined and visually harmonious.

Dates and details

• Dates: 11 December 2025 – 30 January 2026
• Location: Craftica Gallery, 11 Ordynacka Street
• By appointment only

Collectible Design and the Return to Craft

How collectible design and Polish craft are reshaping Warsaw’s creative identity.

WarsawslookSia P.