Grzegorz Majka is a self-taught Polish artist who explores the concepts of modularity, sculptural form, and artisanal processes in the design of furniture and lighting. His work seamlessly blends craft and contemporary design, incorporating high-quality noble materials like natural stone, wood, metals, and hand-blown glass. Guided by a deep respect for the inherent character of materials, Grzegorz highlights natural irregularities, textures, and patterns – veins in stone, the living patina of untreated metals, the organic feel of brushed surfaces. These elements are not hidden but embraced, inviting collectors on a sensory journey through touch and time. His studio practice focuses on handcrafted limited-edition furniture that is not only functional, but also living, authentic, and collectible art.

1. Where were you born and where are you from ?

I was born in Krosno, a small city in south-east Poland, near the borders of Slovakia and Ukraine. The city is nestled in a valley, offering easy access to the most beautiful and untamed part of the region, known as the ‘Bieszczady Mountains’. These mountains hold a special meaning for us, symbolising freedom. In Poland, there’s a saying about the Bieszczady: ‘If you’re tired and have had enough of your current life, just leave everything behind and head to the Bieszczady’.

I believe spending time in nature and the mountains has shaped who I am, and I’m so grateful for that. I left Krosno after secondary school, but I always find myself coming back.

2. What is your first memory connected to the art world ?

I’m definitely a big fan of drawing! I’ve been drawing since I was little, and my mum still has my first horse drawing from when I was five.

3. Have you always worked in the art/design field ?

No, I am a self-educated artist/designer, and I started my career in the stone industry. In these 11 years, I have learned plenty of techniques, starting from how to extract the blocks, how to cut them into slabs/elements, how to shape them, how to finish the edges, and, what is more practical, how to use the stone.

When I started my career in a family business, my uncle told me that when you gain knowledge and understand stone, you never leave it. What I can say — he was right 😉

4. What led you to the design creation ?

I think there was a moment in my career when, at the same time, I had been conducting five quite big projects applying stone elements as flooring, steps, elevations, etc., and I was completely burned out. At this moment, I decided to find more artistic, curious ways for stone applications, so I started designing and finding a much better purpose for them.

5. How would you describe your creative process and it influences ?

My creative journey begins with a mental image of the shape I want to create. I then bring that idea to life on paper using a pencil. Recently, I have also been experimenting with clay. Most of my creations are inspired by the natural world or my immediate environment, and I find shapes everywhere!

6. Could you describe a typical day of your work ?

My regular workday is divided into home and studio parts. I’m quite an organised person, so I wake up early, approximately between 5–6 AM each day. I start with a yoga and meditation session as an aperitif to the workday, to still, reset, and relax my mind and body. In the studio, I usually start by checking the mailbox and having two black coffees in a row while answering messages. After these parts, I’m open and flexible for a new challenge or to continue the started one. It depends on the mood and my project schedule.

7. Why did you choose the specific materials you work with ?

I have to say that in my work I’m allergic to imitation and fake materials; that’s why I use only noble materials such as stone, metals including brass, bronze, stainless steel, and aluminium, as well as wood and glass. I love the time footprint on these materials, especially on stone and brass or bronze. It shows us how materials can change over time, and the item you buy today won’t be the same tomorrow; it will be evolving consistently with us. What is more, these are timeless and environmentally friendly materials, and my pieces are crafted to last — especially important today.

8. What are the technical particularities of your creations ?

Despite the simplicity of the form of my creations, every small detail invites attention and reveals its purpose — on the surface, along the edges, even in the gaps between the materials used.

9. What advices could you give to beginning artists who would like to create sculptural design works ?

Don’t give up too quickly 😉
Sometimes it is good to take a break from creation and come back to it later with fresh ideas for continuation.

10. If your works had to belong to a design movement, in which one would you define it ?

Minimalism. You might not notice it right away, but I always aim to simplify the shape of things to their most basic form.

11. What designers and artists have influenced you ?

The greatest designers who influence me are nature and each cooperation on the project itself. Thanks to these two, I can improve myself and cross boundaries, finding new solutions and new possibilities for creation.

12. What contemporary designers do you appreciate ?

I really appreciate the ability to find stillness and peace of mind in today’s fast-paced city lifestyle.

13. What contemporary artists (in any kind of art) have you been inspired by ?

I was inspired by the creativity of the Italian sculptor Jago. His understanding of marble and the way he unveils its inner essence are beyond words. I can hardly express how much I admire his art. To say that he understands the marble material and knows how to expose its covered part is not enough. I have no words to express how much I enjoy his art.

14. If you had to summarize your creations in one word or sentence, what would it be ?

Touch to understand.

15. Is there anything you would like to add ?

Thank you for having me.

PROUST QUESTIONNAIRE
(The Proust Questionnaire is a set of questions answered by the French writer Marcel Proust.
Other historical figures who have answered confession albums are Oscar Wilde,
Karl Marx, Arthur Conan Doyle, Stéphane Mallarmé, Paul Cézanne…)

11. Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

Vulgarisms.

12. Which talent would you most like to have?

Talent for truly listening -to others, to myself, and to the world.

13. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

None.

14. What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Being myself.

15. If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?

Me again, ready for round two 🙂

16. Where would you most like to live?

Close to nature, especially mountains or the sea.

17. What is your most treasured possession?

Knowledge.

18. What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

No ambitions.

19. What is your favorite occupation?

Observation.

20. What is your most marked characteristic?

Too honest and straightforward.

21. What do you most value in your friends?

Loyalty and honesty.

22. Who are your favorite writers?

I don’t have the favourite one.

23. Who is your hero of fiction?

–

24. Which historical figure do you most identify with?

–

25. Who are your heroes in real life?

–

26. What are your favorite names?

None.

27. What is it that you most dislike?

Masks.

28. What is your greatest regret?

Wasting time.

29. How would you like to die?

Mysteriously.

30. What is your motto?

Stay calm and make things happen.