In memory of Ryszard Ryba (1935–2022)

Abstract

Ryszard Ryba is a Polish sculptor active in the second half of the 20 th century. He was primarily a creator of sacred art, and his works can be found in the churches of the Podkarpacie and Lesser Poland regions (the present dioceses of Przemyśl, Rzeszów, Tarnów and Sandomierz). In addition to sculpting, he was involved in designing sacred interiors and elements of their decor (tabernacles, sedilia, pews, confessionals, etc.), participating in the development of principles for adapting church interiors to the conditions of the reformed liturgy after the Second Vatican Council. He is also the author of graphic and drawing series, which he created especially in the first twenty years of the 21 st century. His sculptures, especially those from the beginning of his creative path, are characterised by great simplicity. Their impact is due to their powerful, synthetic form, acting as an expressive sign. With time, his great narrative talent became revealed more and more clearly, and the qualities that built the mood of unique softness and tenderness came to the fore. He was also increasingly willing to reach for topics related to family and everyday life. His artistic oeuvre, however, constitutes a coherent whole which is still intensely impressive.