A modern interior featuring artistic sketches on walls, a large oval mirror, distinctive black chair, and a decorative wooden stool.

Romantic Brutalism: Visteria Foundation Showcases Polish Craft & Design at Milan Design Week 2025

Words by Yatzer

Milan, Italy

One of the reasons we love Milan Design Week is that it gives us the opportunity to discover exciting designers through immersive installations that spotlight emerging, under-the-radar design scenes from all over the world. This year, one such showcase was Romantic Brutalism: A Journey into Polish Craft and Design (April 7 – 13, 2025) at Viale di Porta Vercellina 11. Organized by the newly established Polish Visteria Foundation, founded by publisher and art patron Katarzyna Jordan, and curated by Federica Sala, it marked the centennial of Poland's artistic debut at the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris.

Unfolding across ten rooms, an outdoor terrace, and two corridors transformed into a theatrical experience by Zuza Paradowska of Paradowski Studio, the exhibition introduced 23 Polish artists and designers whose works are rooted in the country’s artisanal heritage. This is a connection which we had the opportunity to explore back in January, invited as we were by the Visteria Foundation to Warsaw for an exclusive preview of the participating artists along with an immersive tour of the city's vibrant design scene; an experience that provided invaluable insight into the creative processes and cultural narratives shaping the exhibition in Milan.

A collection of vibrant glassware in pink, orange, and yellow tones, displayed on a glossy surface, creating a warm, artistic ambiance.

Exhibition view, "Romantic Brutalism" by Visteria Foundation during Milan Design Week 2025. Photography by Ludovic Balay. Featured: Wild at Heart collection by UAU Project.

A stylish hallway featuring a patterned wall, a unique hanging light, and a marble console table adorned with red flowers.

Exhibition view, "Romantic Brutalism" by Visteria Foundation during Milan Design Week 2025. Photography by Ludovic Balay. Featured: Table by Formsophy; Pendant light by Marek Bimer; Graphic mural by Mikolaj Moskal and Kaja Gliwa.

Two women stand on opposite sides of a large window, dressed in stylish outfits, with an outdoor view of a rainy, leafless landscape.

Curator Federica Sala (left) and Visteria Foundation founder Katarzyna Jordan.

Poland's design evolution is a testament to resilience and innovation. Going back in history, The Young Poland (Młoda Polska) movement, active between 1890 and 1918, sought to reassert national identity through art, craft, and design, drawing inspiration from nature and folk traditions while adopting a distinct modernist language related to English Arts & Crafts, Art Nouveau, and Viennese Secession. This cultural renaissance set the stage for Poland attending the 1925 Paris Exposition, where the Polish pavilion, designed by Józef Czajkowski, earned international acclaim. Now, a century later, Romantic Brutalism explores how themes such as nature, eternity and transformation, and styles like brutalism, romanticism, folk art, and Art Deco are being reinterpreted by a new generation of Polish artists and designers.

A minimalistic room featuring two tall clay vases, unique furniture, and artistic sculptures on a polished wood floor. Natural light streams in.

Exhibition view, "Romantic Brutalism" by Visteria Foundation during Milan Design Week 2025. Photography by Ludovic Balay. Featured: Ceramic vases by GRÔPK (Marcin Kuberna); Roots stools by Zuza Paradowska.

A modern interior featuring artistic sketches on walls, a large oval mirror, distinctive black chair, and a decorative wooden stool.

Exhibition view, "Romantic Brutalism" by Visteria Foundation during Milan Design Week 2025. Photography by Ludovic Balay. Featured (from left): Box by Jakub Przyborowski; "Roe deer" chair (circa 1942) by Olgierd Szlekys and Wladysława Wincze; Mirror N.16 by Anna Bera; Wicker chair by Władysław Wołkowski (circa 1960s). Ceiling mural by Marta Wojtuszek.

Standout pieces worth mentioning have been created by designers fusing traditional crafts with experimental techniques such as Marcin Rusak whose Warsaw-based studio operates as a laboratory where botany meets craftsmanship, and scientific inquiry fuels artistic expression. His signature practice of embedding floral waste into resin makes for striking one-of-a-kind sculptures and furniture that blur the boundaries between art, design, and material research, as is the case with the Flora Cabinet 190 Clear Amber on display. Also on view, a light sculpture from his Protoplasting Nature series, made from hand-welded steel wire and specially processed exotic leaves.

A modern, curved glass cabinet with floral patterns stands in a bright room, surrounded by sculptural plants on a textured white surface.

Exhibition view, "Romantic Brutalism" by Visteria Foundation during Milan Design Week 2025. Photography by Ludovic Balay. Featured: Flora Cabinet 190 Clear Amber by Marcin Rusak.

An artistic installation features yellow tubular structures and a sleek, gray table on a patterned rug, set in an elegant room.

Exhibition view, "Romantic Brutalism" by Visteria Foundation during Milan Design Week 2025. Photography by Ludovic Balay. Featured: Light installation by Dérive Studio; Aluminum Desk by Jan Ankiersztajn; Wall art by Kasia Kucharska.

Poznań-based designer Jan Ankiersztajn and design duo Alicja Prussakowska and Jakub Kijowski of Formsophy, similarly engages with materiality, using aluminium to create sculptural furniture that feels both primeval and futuristic. Characterized by undulating, organic shapes, Formsophy’s work captures the visual dynamism of liquid metal as if frozen in motion. Occasionally, they incorporate marble elements, introducing a rugged counterpoint to the sleekness of aluminium, creating an interplay of textures that enhances their pieces' sculptural depth and tactile intrigue. Ranging from seating and tables to jugs and bowls, Ankiersztajn’s works embrace a much more minimalist aesthetic that nevertheless belies a complex, experimental crafting process.

  • A person in dark clothing sits on a sculptural bench against a textured wall, illuminated by geometric shadows from large windows.

    Jan Ankiersztajn. Photography by Michał Buczkowski-Przezdzi. Courtesy of Objekt Gallery.

  • Two sleek metallic sculptures rest on textured beige paper, surrounded by soft curves and folds, blending elegance with artistry.

    Jan Ankiersztajn, Aluminum Mirror, 2025. Photography by Michał Buczkowski-Przezdzi. Courtesy of Objekt Gallery.

  • A sculptural, metallic table with a fluid design sits on textured beige surface, illuminated by soft shadows from a nearby window.

    Jan Ankiersztajn, Aluminum Table, 2024. Photography by Michał Buczkowski-Przezdzi. Courtesy of Objekt Gallery.

  • Three artistic sculptures displayed on minimalist pedestals in a spacious, softly lit gallery with a neutral backdrop.

    Dérive Studio at COMUNE presentation during Milan Design Week 2025. Photography by PION Studio.

A close-up of a sculptural bench leg by Formsophy, showcasing a dramatic fusion of raw stone and molten-like cast metal textures in a piece titled “Romantic Brutalism” for the Visteria Foundation.

Formsophy, Tore (detail). Courtesy of Visteria Foundation.

Close-up of a textured metal surface featuring a rugged stone embedded in the center, showcasing a blend of natural and industrial elements.

Formsophy, Tore (detail). Courtesy of Visteria Foundation.

A close-up of a textured glass plate illuminated from behind, mounted on a sleek metal frame against a light wall.

Hasik Design Studio, Sol Candlestick. Courtesy of Visteria Foundation.

A modern wall sconce features a textured glass disc illuminating a sleek metallic base, casting soft shadows on a light wall.

Hasik Design Studio, Sol Candlestick. Courtesy of Visteria Foundation.

  • Artistic metallic wall piece with flowing shapes and glassware, harmonizing contemporary design with textured surfaces.

    Exhibition view, "Romantic Brutalism" by Visteria Foundation during Milan Design Week 2025. Photography by Ludovic Balay. Featured: Glassware by Aleksandra Zawistowska.

  • Three silver metallic roses with textured petals, perched on slender, twisting stems, against a backdrop of abstract metallic patterns.

    Exhibition view, "Romantic Brutalism" by Visteria Foundation during Milan Design Week 2025. Photography by Ludovic Balay. Featured: Light sculpture by Marcin Rusak.

  • A person wearing a white outfit carefully adjusts a delicate, ornate glass bowl on a white tablecloth against a plain background.

    Filomena Smoła. Courtesy of Visteria Foundation.

  • Two elegant glass spoons with intricate designs rest on a textured brown background, alongside a round, white plate.

    Filomena Smoła. Courtesy of Visteria Foundation.

Four unique transparent glass sculptures displayed on sleek, asymmetrical yellow shelves against a soft beige wall.

Exhibition view, "Romantic Brutalism" by Visteria Foundation during Milan Design Week 2025. Photography by Ludovic Balay. Featured: Glass sculpture by Filomena Smola.

A delicate glass sculpture resembling a flower sits atop a white sculpted hand against a textured beige background.

Exhibition view, "Romantic Brutalism" by Visteria Foundation during Milan Design Week 2025. Photography by Ludovic Balay. Featured: Glass sculpture by Filomena Smola.

In the realm of experimental glasswork, Aleksandra Zawistowska and Filomena Smoła bring a tactile, playful sensibility to their creations. Zawistowska, co-founder of Szkło Studio, reinterprets glassblowing traditions with bespoke molds made from stacked bricks and wood chunks, while Smoła infuses her hand-blown sculptures with a zany sensuality. Katarzyna Harasym contributes to this material dialogue with her Neocrystal series, reviving old crystal vessels through lampworking, fusing, and casting techniques that breathe new life into forgotten forms.

  • An elegant frosted glass vase with dynamic, flowing shapes, set against a dark background, exuding a sense of fluidity and light.

    Katarzyna Harasym, Neocrystal series, 2023. Photography by Press Materials.

  • A collection of elegant, intricately designed glassware in various shapes, illuminated against a black background.

    Aleksandra Zawistowska glassware. Courtesy of Visteria Foundation.

  • A figure in a traditional black dress with intricate white lace detailing and a matching handbag, standing against a neutral backdrop.

    Zofia Chylak, Heritage Collection. Photography by Ina Lekiewicz.

  • A close-up of a woman lace-making, threading a needle into intricate patterns on a white display, surrounded by wooden bobbins.

    Zofia Chylak, Heritage Collection. Photography by Ina Lekiewicz.

  • A figure wears a large white lace headdress, adorned with floral patterns, paired with a dark, stylish velvet shirt against a monochrome backdrop.

    Zofia Chylak, Heritage Collection. Photography by Ina Lekiewicz.

  • A person wearing a dark garment adorned with intricate white lace detailing on the collar.

    Zofia Chylak, Heritage Collection. Photography by Ina Lekiewicz.

A stately room featuring sculptural wooden chairs on geometric white pedestals adorned with black line art, beside large windows.

Exhibition view, "Romantic Brutalism" by Visteria Foundation during Milan Design Week 2025. Photography by Ludovic Balay. Featured: Wooden chairs by Aleksander Oniszh; Wooden vase by Maciej Gąsienica Giewont; Ceiling mural by Marta Wojtuszek.

Woodcraft finds fresh expression in the hands of Aleksander Oniszh, Maciej Gąsienica Giewont, and Anna Berra. Oniszh crafts furniture that balances modern forms with artisanal methods, his designs revealing a deep understanding of wood's physicality and structural properties. Giewont, operating from his one-man studio in Warsaw, embraces the natural imperfections of wood, turning knots and cracks into features that celebrate authenticity, aligning his work with the wabi-sabi philosophy. Berra, known for her poetic approach to woodworking, merges hand-carved elements with unexpected material juxtapositions, creating pieces that feel both familiar and enigmatic, imbued with a quiet narrative quality.

  • A sculptural wooden chair with a wavy design, casting soft shadows on a patterned floor and set against warm wooden panels.

    Aleksander Oniszh, Folly chair, 2023. Photography by Tomo Yarmush.

  • Three abstract wooden sculptures, including a tall mirror and a wall piece, displayed against a minimalist white wall.

    Anna Bera, OBJECT series, 2023. Photography by Anna Bera and Wojciech Tubaja.

  • Two intricately carved wooden vases, featuring wavy patterns and a rich brown finish, set against a soft gray background.

    Maciej Gąsienica-Giewont, Wooden objects. Courtesy of Visteria Foundation.

A collection of abstract, textured ceramic vases displayed on light gray pedestals, tied with bright yellow straps, against a warm backdrop.

Monika Patuszyńska. Photography by Tomo Yarmush. Courtesy of Objekt Gallery.

A sculptural vase with leaf-like cutouts, perched on a swirling metallic base, illuminated by sunlight from a nearby window.

Exhibition view, "Romantic Brutalism" by Visteria Foundation during Milan Design Week 2025. Photography by Ludovic Balay. Featured: Sculpture by Monika Patuszyńska.

A collection of sculptural vases with textured surfaces, displayed on white pedestals, accented with yellow ribbons against a beige wall.

Monika Patuszyńska. Photography by Tomo Yarmush. Courtesy of Objekt Gallery.

Marek Bimer, meanwhile, extends the conversation into sculptural lighting, crafting abstract forms from epoxy resin, bronze, and alabaster, drawing inspiration from modernist masters like Hans Arp and Constantin Brancusi. Also working at the intersection of tradition and innovation, Justyna Fałdzińska and Miłosz Dąbrowski from the UAU Project redefine functional art through 3D printing, using plant-based bioplastics to create recyclable and compostable objects that push the boundaries of sustainable design. Their commitment to fusing high craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology speaks to the broader themes of the exhibition: a reverence for the past, a curiosity for the future, and an unrelenting pursuit of beauty in materiality.

  • An artistic vase in gradient hues of yellow and white sits on a reflective pedestal, casting intricate shadows on the wall.

    UAU Project, Furry Vase. Courtesy of Visteria Foundation.

  • A textured sculpture featuring flowing, wavy strands in vibrant yellow and creamy white, creating a dynamic, organic appearance.

    UAU Project, Furry Vase (detail). Courtesy of Visteria Foundation.

A colorful kilim titled “Meadow” designed by Zofia Stryjeńska for Splot, hangs on a white wall above minimalist metallic furniture in a sunlit dining room, blending folkloric patterns with contemporary interior design.

Kilim “Meadow” designed by Zofia Stryjeńska for Splot. Photo by Hania Linkowska and Karol Palka.

A geometric kilim titled “Paris” designed by Józef Czajkowski for Splot is mounted on a hallway wall, its intricate pattern of dark and muted tones complementing the classical interior architecture and tiled floor.

Kilim “Paris” designed by Józef Czajkowski for Splot. Photo by Hania Linkowska and Karol Palka.

A potter carefully shapes a large clay vase in a rustic workshop, surrounded by various pottery pieces and tools.

Marcin Kuberna at work in his studio. Photography by Mood Authors.

Three sculptural bulbous forms in a dimly lit space, featuring a textured light-colored piece and two dark vessels on wooden pedestals.

Ceramics by Marcin Kuberna. Photography by Bill Stamatopoulos.

An artistic installation features black wire flower designs on a wall, alongside a modern, transparent tube structure in a bright room.

Exhibition view, "Romantic Brutalism" by Visteria Foundation during Milan Design Week 2025. Photography by Ludovic Balay. Featured: Light installation by Dérive Studio; Wall art by Kasia Kucharska.

As Romantic Brutalism unfolds in Milan, it does more than showcase Polish craft and design—it asserts a cultural narrative that is deeply rooted yet constantly evolving. By revisiting and reinterpreting historical influences, this new generation of Polish designers is carving out a future where tradition and experimentation coexist, where the raw and the refined merge into something entirely new.

Following its debut in Milan, the exhibition will travel to Warsaw, where it will be presented at the historic Gawroński Villa—soon to become the permanent home of the Visteria Foundation and a private art and design museum, ensuring that the dialogue around Polish design continues beyond this momentous showcase.

Textured artwork featuring an oval shape with a central, beige woven strip on a dark brown, fiber-rich background.

Exhibition view, "Romantic Brutalism" by Visteria Foundation during Milan Design Week 2025. Photography by Ludovic Balay. Featured: Brown Orchid by Magdalena Abakanowicz.

A tall, intricate straw sculpture with a textured top stands in a colorful, patterned room, accented by decorative vases on display.

Exhibition view, "Romantic Brutalism" by Visteria Foundation during Milan Design Week 2025. Photography by Ludovic Balay.