Stanisław Szukalski Museum in Gdynia Orłowo: The artist's legacy in a new location
- Damian Brzeski
- Sep 19
- 10 min read
On September 21, 2025, Gdynia Orłowo (ul. Orłowska 53) opens the doors to the museum of "Samorodny" - Stanisław Szukalski, a genius and provocateur whose art combines the Aztecs, Slavs and the myth of his own Zermatism.
Is private initiative, rather than a state-owned building, the only way to tell the story of such a controversial legacy—and why Netflix's "Struggle" triggered an avalanche? Check out the exhibition "The Selfborn"—the rest is up to you to discover.
The history and idea behind the museum
Every great story has a beginning, and the one about the Gdynia museum is inextricably intertwined with the passion of one man and the global phenomenon that reignited interest in the artist.
Before we delve into his art, we need to understand how Gdynia came to be the new home of Szukalski's legacy.
Krzysztof Ziemann's initiative and the path to implementation
Every great undertaking begins with the vision of one man. In the case of the Stanisław Szukalski Museum in Gdynia, that figure is Krzysztof Ziemann.
Before we delve into the intricacies of an artist's life, you must understand something fundamental: this is not a state museum established by the Ministry of Culture. It is the fruit of private passion and determination , which, in Szukalski's context, is crucial.
The entity responsible for the facility is the "STANISŁAW SZUKALSKI MUSEUM (IN ORGANIZATION) KRZYSZTOF ZIEMANN".
What does this mean for you, as a visitor? It means you're experiencing a place born of genuine fascination, not institutional obligation.
It was this private nature of the initiative that allowed the creation of a museum fully dedicated to such a complex figure.
Consider this: could a state institution, with its political background, unreservedly dedicate an entire facility to an artist accused of extreme nationalism and anti-Semitic views at a certain point in his life?
This would be incredibly difficult. Krzysztof Ziemann's initiative is therefore not only a foundational act, but also an act of cultural courage – creating a space for a heritage that is too important to ignore. It is a modern form of patronage, rescuing the legacy of a cursed artist from oblivion.
The significance of the museum opening in 2025
The date of the museum's opening to the public – September 21, 2025 – is not accidental.
It marks the culmination of a global renaissance of interest in Szukalski, which exploded after the premiere of the extraordinary documentary "Struggle: The Life and Lost Art of Stanislav Szukalski" in 2018 on Netflix.
The film, produced by George DiCaprio and his son, Leonardo , introduced the Polish artist to the world in such a fascinating way that he became a global phenomenon overnight.
The opening of the museum in Gdynia is therefore a physical, tangible response to this digital, international upsurge. It transforms global noise into a lasting Polish monument.
Paradoxically, it was precisely this validation from Hollywood that made Szukalski's character "safe" and "relevant" to a wider audience in his own homeland.
The creation of a permanent, dedicated museum in such a prestigious location as Gdynia Orłowo is the final step in this process. It symbolically shifts Szukalski from the periphery to the center of the national debate on art and identity.
Permanent exhibition "Szukalski: The Selfborn"
When the museum's doors open, you enter a world shaped by a single, powerful vision. The title of the permanent exhibition is not just a catchy name—it's key to understanding the entire philosophy of this place and the artist himself.
The concept of the exhibition and its main assumptions
The key to understanding the philosophy of the Gdynia museum lies in the title of its permanent exhibition: "Szukalski: The Self-born / Samorodny." "Self-born" is not a term coined by the curators. It's a word Stanisław Szukalski used to describe himself.
It expressed his deepest conviction about his own innate genius that needed no teachers.
By choosing this self-portrait as the exhibition's title, the museum's creators made a conscious choice. They want you to immerse yourself in his world and see art through his eyes. The museum's manifesto states their desire to "add a staircase to the pedestal it deserves."
This means that when you cross the threshold of the museum, you don't enter a cold, analytical space. You enter a place that is part museum, part temple built in the artist's honor . Prepare yourself for a subjective and intense experience, one that aims not so much to inform but to convert you to faith in the genius of "The Self-Born."
Zermatism and Slavic mythology as keys to creativity
Before you can come face to face with his works, however, you must learn two keys that will unlock the door to understanding them: Slavic mythology and Zermatism . Szukalski was an artist-ideologist, and his art exemplified a powerful, coherent vision of the world.
First, his work is deeply rooted in a longing for Poland's pagan, proto-Slavic past . He believed that Polish art had lost its native character, so his goal was to return to its roots – to powerful, mythical heroes and pagan gods.
Secondly, in the latter half of his life, he created Zermatism —one of the most fanciful pseudoscientific theories in history. It posited that all human civilization descended from survivors of the biblical flood on Easter Island, and that humanity's original language was related to Polish. In this vision, humanity was locked in a constant struggle with the "Yetinsins" (Sons of Yetis) —descendants of Yetis and humans, responsible for all the evil in the world.
Keep this in mind when you view his work – every line and every form could be part of this grand, personal mythology.
What will you see inside? From monumental sculptures to works on paper.
The collection gathered in Gdynia is a true feast for the senses and the intellect. It encompasses works from the artist's rebellious youth to his relentless decline. Prepare to encounter a total art that leaves no one indifferent.
The museum boasts over 50 sculptures, over 300 paintings and drawings , as well as numerous medals, coins and memorabilia.
Sculptures: Monumentality and Symbolism
Sculpture is the heart of Szukalski's work. Prepare yourself for art that draws from Art Nouveau, Expressionism, and even Futurism, but fuses it all into a single melting pot with a fascination for the art of ancient civilizations: Egypt, the Slavs, and especially the Aztecs.
His sculptures are characterized by extraordinary attention to anatomical detail, combined with radical deformation. Muscles are stretched to the limit, and figures contort in convulsive poses. These are not realistic portraits, but symbols of ideas.
Drawings: The Brain and Soul of Creativity
If sculptures are the body of Szukalski's work, then drawings are its brain and soul. It was on paper, in thousands of sketches, that his fantastical world was born. It is estimated that for Zermatism he created over 40 volumes of writings illustrated with some 40,000 sketches!
His drawings are fully autonomous, intricately crafted works with precise, almost obsessive linework. Viewing them is like entering the laboratory of his mind.
Medals and Coins: Miniature Championship
Amidst the wealth of sculptures and drawings, it's easy to overlook the smaller forms in which Szukalski also achieved mastery. His ability to create monumental compositions also proved remarkably effective on a miniature scale.
Medals like the Katyn Medal are condensed doses of his artistic language – dramatic, precise reliefs telling great stories.
Helen Walker: The Artist's Voice Reclaimed
One of the most intriguing elements of the collection is the presence of works by Helen Walker, Szukalski's first wife . And here's an important note: this isn't about her namesake, the Hollywood actress. Helen Walker Szukalska (1900-1970) was an artist, painter, and illustrator, and an active participant in the Chicago art scene.
Her presence in the museum is an incredibly important curatorial gesture. It is an attempt at artistic rehabilitation and to restore the memory of an artist whose own career was overshadowed by her husband's powerful personality.
By including her work in its permanent collection, the Gdynia museum offers you a rare opportunity to rediscover her and reflect on the dynamics of their relationship. It's a fascinating story about the recovery of a forgotten female voice.
Who is Stanisław Szukalski – life and work?
To fully appreciate the works you're about to see, you have to get to know the man who created them. And Stanisław Szukalski's story is as dramatic, improbable, and full of contradictions as his art.
Biography: from Warta to Los Angeles
Stanisław Szukalski's life story is a ready-made film script. Born in Warta in 1893, the son of a blacksmith, he revealed himself as a self-taught sculpting genius even as a child.
In 1907, he emigrated to Chicago, where, as a teenager, he became one of the stars of the so-called "Chicago Renaissance." In 1936, a recognized artist, he returned to Poland. He seemed to be at his peak. Then came September 1939.
The German bombing of Warsaw destroyed his studio, and with it almost all of his life's work.
He managed to escape to the United States, settling in California. There, he spent the rest of his life in near obscurity, obsessively developing his theory of Zermatism. He died in 1987, and his ashes were scattered on Easter Island —the mythical cradle of humanity according to his theory.
Education and Influence: Rebel with a Workshop
Szukalski was a paradox: an artist with excellent technique who spent his life despising academia. He studied at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków, which he recalled as a time of struggle against conservatism.
He absorbed everything: he admired Michelangelo and Rodin, but he sought true inspiration elsewhere – in the powerful aesthetics of pre-Columbian art, in ancient Egypt and, above all, in the forgotten symbolism of the pagan Slavs.
The Horned Heart Tribe: A Revolution in Polish Art
His ideas proved so contagious that in 1929 in Kraków a group of young artists gathered around him and formed the Szukalszczyków tribe of the Horned Heart coat of arms .
This was an ideological movement aimed at revolutionizing Polish art. They rejected Western influences, seeking inspiration in ancient Slavic culture. Their slogan was: "To Love, to Fight."
Zermatism: A Personal Mythology
It's impossible to fully understand Szukalski's later work without Zermatism. Think of it this way: an artist who considered himself a genius loses his entire body of work in an instant. Zermatism was his response— a grand, conspiracy theory of history that allowed him to reorder the world.
In this vision, he was no longer just a forgotten artist, but someone who held the key to the true history of humanity. It was his defense mechanism, his personal mythology, and his gigantic artistic project, all in one.
Context and Collaboration
Although Szukalski's myth often portrays him as a solitary genius, his legacy endures thanks to the quiet work of many people and institutions. Before Netflix entered the scene, it was Polish museum professionals and enthusiasts who ensured that the flame of his memory never faded.
The Upper Silesian Museum in Bytom and other institutions
The Upper Silesian Museum in Bytom holds a special place in the history of preserving Szukalski's legacy. Over the years, this institution has amassed one of Poland's largest state collections of works not only by the master himself but also by members of the Horned Heart Tribe. Other institutions, such as the Gardzienice Gallery in Lublin, also cultivated the artist's memory.
The Movie "Struggle" and the Renaissance of Popularity
However, the event that changed everything was the premiere of the film "Struggle" in 2018. It turned out that the forgotten Szukalski was friends with George DiCaprio in California, who often took his young son, Leonard , to meet the eccentric Pole.
The film they produced presented Szukalski's story in such a universal way that it gained millions of fans overnight. It's a powerful example of how pop culture can revive even the most complex artistic legacy.
Heritage and reception of creativity
The legacy Szukalski left behind is like his sculptures – multidimensional, fascinating and bristling with sharp edges.
It is a legacy of artistic genius inextricably intertwined with dark ideologies and personal demons.
Controversies and unrealized projects
It's impossible to discuss Szukalski without ignoring his difficult character and repulsive views. His megalomania was legendary. During the interwar period, his radical nationalism flirted with fascination with fascism, and his writings contained strong anti-Semitic overtones .
This dark chapter will forever remain a part of his biography. His uncompromising nature also meant that many ambitious projects, such as the Mickiewicz monument in Vilnius, were never built, causing nationwide scandals.
A unique style: a synthesis of cultures
However, if we separate art from a difficult biography, we will see one of the most original sculptors of the 20th century.
His greatest contribution was the creation of a unique visual language. He combined the architectural solidity of Mesoamerican pyramids, the intricate ornamentation of Aztec bas-reliefs, and the hieratic pose of Egyptian statues with the heroic spirit of Slavic mythology.
Why does Szukalski fascinate us today?
Why does Szukalski fascinate us now? Perhaps because his work perfectly captures the spirit of our times. We live in an era that values authenticity and is fascinated by outsider artists .
Szukalski is the perfect figure for this era: an undeniable genius whose life and art defy all simple categorization. There's something of a shaman, a prophet, and a madman about him.
The Museum in Gdynia Orłowo is an invitation for you to face his legacy yourself and answer the question of who this "Native" genius from Warta is for you.
Practical information for visitors
Feeling intrigued? Ready to dive into Szukalski's world? Fantastic! Here's everything you need to know to plan your visit to the new heart of his universe.
Location, opening hours and tickets
We've gathered all the key information in one place for your convenience. The museum is located in one of Gdynia's most beautiful districts, Orłowo, making it an ideal place to combine a visit with a stroll along the pier and cliff.
Category | Information |
Location | Orlowska Street 53, 81-522 Gdynia |
Opening date | September 21, 2025 |
Opening hours | Wednesday – Sunday, 11:00 – 18:00 |
Regular ticket | 40 PLN |
Reduced price ticket | 25 PLN (students), 15 PLN (young people 10-17 years old) |
Website |
Data based on information available before the museum opened.
Educational programs and accompanying events
A detailed program of events, including lectures, workshops, and curatorial tours, has not yet been announced. Given the breadth of topics related to Szukalski, we can expect a remarkably interesting lineup.
The best way to stay up to date is to regularly visit the museum's official website and follow its social media profiles.
Opportunities for collaboration and support
As a private institution, the museum is certainly open to various forms of support and collaboration. If you are interested in patronage, volunteering, or have other ideas, we encourage you to contact the museum directly.
Every initiative supporting this unique place will contribute to perpetuating the legacy of one of the most important Polish artists.
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