Golden, Yet Humble – Monika Mamzeta

2025
epoxy resin, acrylic, ceramics, leather, hair, golden metal leaf

I recently had a chat with an AI about the strange tradition of placing gnome figurines in gardens.
Apparently, the roots of this tradition go back to 18th-century Germany, particularly in the Thuringia region, where the first ceramic figurines inspired by mythical forest-dwelling gnomes appeared. These little, bearded creatures, said to help people and protect the home and garden, were handcrafted from clay and fired in kilns, creating a symbol of luck, protection, and even – believe it or not – a little help with gardening. Over time, they became seen as decorations – colourful, fun, and original, as well as a way for garden owners to express their personality and passions. For some, they are a charming example of folk style, while for others, they are a symbol of kitsch: golden, yet humble. This very “Polish” phrase is the perfect blend of irony, a backhanded compliment with a hint of sarcasm – a gentle roast wrapped in praise. It’s perfect for those moments when you want to gently bring someone down to earth – but in a humorous, friendly way, or perhaps a little less friendly… like in the film Clergy (Kler, 2018) directed by Wojciech Smarzowski.
In this context, questions of patriarchy, capitalism, narcissism – and a particularly Polish brand of nostalgic male authority, let’s refer to them as “retropriests of patriarchives”– loom large. Must I really spell it out?