Sculptural Ceramics & Functional Art

About Malwina Konopacka

Malwina Konopacka is a Polish ceramic artist and illustrator known for her distinctive visual language that merges drawing, colour, and three-dimensional form. Born in Warsaw in 1982, she studied Industrial Design at the Warsaw Academy of Fine Arts before continuing her education in illustration at the Universität der Künste in Berlin. This dual background strongly shapes her artistic practice, allowing her to translate graphic storytelling into expressive ceramic objects.

In 2014 she created the first piece of what would become her iconic OKO collection — a series of sculptural ceramic vases that has since grown into one of the most recognisable bodies of work in contemporary ceramics.

Ceramic Art Between Illustration and Design

Malwina Konopacka’s ceramics are characterised by bold colour, expressive form, and a graphic sensibility rooted in her training as an illustrator. Each piece is handmade and hand-painted in collaboration with skilled craftsmen and ceramic technologists in Poland, ensuring both artistic integrity and technical excellence.

Her sculptural vases and ceramic objects sit at the intersection of fine art and functional design, transforming everyday forms into visually striking, collectible pieces. Lines, faces, and patterns become part of the surface — turning each object into a narrative in clay.

Collectible Ceramics for Contemporary Interiors

Designed to live in both private homes and curated interiors, Konopacka’s ceramic works bring a strong artistic presence to any space. Whether used as a vase, displayed as a sculptural object, or collected as part of a larger composition, each piece balances function with visual storytelling.

Her work reflects RUIMTE’s vision of functional art — objects that serve a purpose while also carrying emotional, cultural, and artistic value.

International Recognition & Museum Collections

Malwina Konopacka’s work has been widely exhibited and collected internationally. Her ceramics are part of the design collection of the National Museum in Krakow and have been shown in institutions including the Design Museum in Brussels as part of the Women in Contemporary Design exhibition.

Her work was also presented in the prestigious  “Regeneration” exhibition  held in the buildings of the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament, marking Poland’s presidency of the EU Council. Recently, she was named to the AD100 list by Architectural Digest, recognising her as one of today’s most influential designers.

Malwina Konopacka at RUIMTE

RUIMTE curates a selection of Malwina Konopacka’s sculptural ceramic vases and functional art objects as part of its commitment to showcasing leading voices in contemporary collectible design. Her work embodies the dialogue between art, craft, and everyday living that lies at the heart of RUIMTE’s curatorial vision.