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Citizen Włapko

Citizen Włapko is a satirical sculpture by Szczecinek artist Wiesław Adamski. It depicts a naked boy with the head of a mature, bespectacled man with a moustache and beard, one hand pointing to the left and the other turned upward as if asking for something. The figure stands 1.10 m tall, with a bomb at the left foot symbolizing explosiveness and nudity representing naked truth. It was first shown on 25 June 2015 in Szczecinek and later toured many cities in Poland. A social committee was formed to build a monument, and on 21 June 2019 a bronze version was officially unveiled in the urban space of Szczecinek, on the grounds of Ossowek Autonomy.

Citizen Włapko statue standing on a red circular base beside a black bomb-like object
Citizen Włapko on a paved sidewalk, shown standing on a red base with a black bomb-like object near one foot.
July 2016 © photo: Henryk Gaszkowski autor rzeźby: Wiesław Adamski · CC BY-SA 4.0
Citizen Włapko sculpture showing a naked figure with an adult head, glasses, and a beard standing on a red draped platform.
Citizen Włapko, a sculpture of a small naked figure with an adult head, is shown on a red draped platform.
June 2015 © photo: Henryk Gaszkowski autor rzeźby: Wiesław Adamski · CC BY-SA 4.0
Citizen Włapko sculpture of a nude figure with an oversized head, glasses, and a bomb at its feet.
Citizen Włapko, a sculpture of a nude figure with an exaggerated head and a bomb-like object at its feet.
June 2015 © photo: Henryk Gaszkowski autor rzeźby: Wiesław Adamski · CC BY-SA 4.0
Citizen Włapko sculpture on a red circular base in a square, with the Brandenburg Gate in the background.
Citizen Włapko stands on a paved square in Berlin, with the Brandenburg Gate visible behind it.
October 2016 © photo: Henryk Gaszkowski autor rzeźby: Wiesław Adamski · CC BY-SA 4.0
Citizen Włapko bronze statue of a male figure with a caricatured head, glasses, and a wide grin on a white pedestal.
Citizen Włapko, a bronze sculpture of a stylized male figure, stands on a white pedestal outdoors.
June 2019 © · CC BY-SA 4.0

Identification

TitleCitizen Włapko
Other namesCiudadano Wlapko; Citoyen de Wlapko; Citizen Skimmer; Гражданин Влапко; Bürger Wlapko
TypeSatirical sculpture / figurine / statuette
Original titleObywatel Włapko

Iconography and meaning

SubjectAn allegorical figure symbolizing a corrupt official who makes life difficult for people
MeaningAlso interpreted as naked truth
Symbolic objectA bomb with a fuse near the left foot
SymbolismThe bomb symbolizes explosiveness; the nudity symbolizes naked truth

Physical characteristics

Depicted figureA naked boy with the head of an adult man
Head detailsThe man’s head is bald, with glasses, a mustache, and a beard
PoseThe figure points with the right index finger toward the left hand, palm upward, as if asking for something
Height1.10 m

Creator

Monument sculptorRomuald Wiśniewski
AuthorWiesław Adamski
Author's originSculptor from Szczecinek

Discovery and provenance

First public presentation25 June 2015 in Szczecinek, at a happening
Subsequent displayLater toured many cities in Poland

Historical context

CommitteeA social committee for building a monument to Citizen Włapko was established in Szczecinek
Committee purposeTo erect a monument in the city space of Szczecinek
City council incidentDuring a Szczecinek city council session, a poster depicting Citizen Włapko caused controversy
Poster presented byCouncillor Jacek Pawłowicz, supported by councillor Andrzej Grobelny
Mayor's reactionThe mayor refused to accept the poster and later sued the councillors

History and restoration

Assault incidentA local city restorer/conservator in Szczecinek, feeling personally offended by the sculpture’s resemblance to himself, attacked and beat the author outside his apartment

Location and ownership

Monument unveiling date21 June 2019
Monument unveiled byZbigniew Eugeniusz Klimowicz, president/chairman of the Social Committee for the Construction of the Monument to Citizen Włapko
Monument locationOn the grounds of Ossovek Autonomy in the urban space of Szczecinek
OwnershipOwned by the inhabitants of Szczecinek

Materials

MaterialBronze

Other

Unveiling noteResidents were invited to take photos with the monument