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01 Oct 2025
Curated Connections Chapter 2: Second Skin Launches Four Polish Design Studios at Mint Gallery During the 2025 UK / Poland Creative Season
Polish Cultural Institute London

The event 'Curated Connections – Chapter 2: Second Skin' within the exhibition 'Second Skin' curated by Mint Gallery successfully showcased the ingenuity and evolution of contemporary Polish design. Launched during the 2025 London Design Festival, the event was initiated by On&On designs as the second instalment in a series of three 'Chapters' presenting Polish design across London. The installation continued the celebration of Polish innovation, craftsmanship, and cultural exchange through design.  

'Second Skin' provided the London debut for four esteemed Polish design studios: Formsophy, Mark Bimer, Aleksander Oniszh and Kaśka Harasym. The collection of works explored material experimentation and unconventional processes, successfully forging new dialogues in design and reinforcing Poland's growing influence on the global design stage. 

The exhibition successfully delivered a blend of exploration and refined artisanal skills, emphasising themes of material consciousness, sustainability, and circular design. 

'It was a fantastic event, the atmosphere was filled with excitement and conversation, and the gallery was filled with energy. Guests were engaged, sharing their thoughts and it was clear that everyone genuinely loved the artwork on display.' - Anka Simone, Founder of On&On Designs 

The showcased pieces illustrated how Polish designers engage with global conversations while remaining grounded in their own perspectives and traditions – illuminating core Polish methodologies that blend material mastery with cutting-edge technology and innovation.  

FORMSOPHY 

Founded by Alicja Prussakowska and Jakub Kijowski, Formsophy focuses on texture, material and the stories they tell. Mixing the traditional with the experimental, their sculptural objects evoke a primeval aesthetic enriched with exquisite detail. Inspired by the fluidity of liquid aluminium, their casting process becomes a cental part of the creative narrative and holds just as much weight as the final form. They describe their style as “romantic brutalism” and balance rawness with refinement to reflect the interplay of their distinct sensibilities. 

Mark Bimer 

Designer, artist and sculptor Mark Bimer explores the duality between minimalism and freedom of form through his deep interest with natural synthesis and its impact on materials. Bimer investigates how natural elements including rain, light and wind shape their form and presence. Through blending aesthetics and testing, Bimer reveals unexpected and innovative forms. At Mint, Bimer presented 'CLOUD LAMP' and 'CLOUD PENDANT' organic works that evoke an ethereal atmosphere and transform spatial perception.  

Aleksander Oniszh 

A self-taught furniture designer and maker for functional art pieces, Aleksander Oniszh is well regarded for his intuitive approach to form and unusual use of tools. His work is guided by intuition and a deep understanding of wood's natural behaviour and structure. Having founded his studio in 2013, Oniszh has developed a practice rooted in craftsmanship, precision and material honesty, producing minimalist pieces that carry the expressive marks of handwork and improvisation, shaped by a process that values the natural behaviour of wood. At Mint, Oniszh presented 'Folly Chair' and 'Doodle Stool', both of which draw on traditions of brutalism and folk art.  

Kaśka Harasym 

Known for her innovative techniques and focus on sustainability, Kaśka Harasym combines lampworking, fusing and casting. Her practice centres on glass upcycling where she transforms discarded materials into pieces with emotion. 

At Mint, her Neocrystals were on display, exploring memory and transformation through reclaimed lead glass crystal vessels, in which she 'talks to ghosts'. Inspired by damaged traditional crystal dishes she inherited from a close family member, the work reflects on grief, time and renewal, mixing her personal dialogue with traditional glassmaking. 

'Curated Connections – Chapter 2' is produced and co-curated by On&On Design in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Poland, Polish Cultural Institute and the Let's Art Foundation. The installation is public task financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland within the grant competition 'Public Diplomacy 2024 – 2025 - the European dimension and countering disinformation'.  

//END// 

Photography credits: Alka Murat 

Press Pack  

DETAILS: 

'Curated Connections – Chapter 2: Second Skin'   

  • MINT Gallery 3 - 5 Duke Street London W1U 3ED | Free to attend  
  • Open after 22.9 Mon – Sat 10.30-6.30pm until 30 September 

 Informare PR & Communications | Caroline Knight - caroline@informare.co.uk 

NOTES 

The UK/Poland Season 2025  

The UK/Poland Season 2025 is a diverse programme of over 100 multi-artform events in 40 cities in both countries. The Season will invigorate the UK-Poland cultural dialogue in addressing global challenges and will open new opportunities for cultural leaders and the next generation of artists. 

List of design events this Autumn as part of the UK/Poland Season 2025  

: V&A South Kensington, Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL 

: Material Matters, Space House, 1 Kemble Street London WC2B 4AN  

: Mint Gallery, 3-5 Duke Street, London W1U 3ED 

: NLA The London Centre, 3 Aldermanbury, London EC2V 7HY, United Kingdom 

  • Curated Connections – Chapter 1 – Living in Colours' featuring UAU Project, Agnieszka Bar, Malwina Konopacka and Zieta Studio, : Moroso 7-15 Roseberry Avenue, London EC1R 4SP  

 

On & On Designs 

On & On Designs is a cultural studio and events curator that supports European creatives entering and influencing the UK market, particularly in design, retail, interiors, and placemaking. On & On Designs advises on skilfully crafted products by European designers and represents selected designers and brands. They also facilitate collaboration between designers, companies, cultural institutions, and international partners.  www.onandondesigns.com 

 

Polish Cultural Institute in London  

The Institute focus lies in promoting Polish culture and heritage to the British audiences, as well as developing collaborations and building bridges between key cultural or academic institutions in Poland and the UK. Through nurturing these relationships, providing access to essential cultural resources and supporting through funding, PCI London is able to successfully showcase the best of Polish art, film, theatre, music, literature, science, and heritage to culturally diverse residents of the UK. www.instytutpolski.pl 

Let's Art Foundation  

Let's Art Foundation mission is to enhance the skills of those involved in the artistic, cultural, and business sectors, creating a space for learning, growth, and inspiration. The foundation also works towards the preservation of historical monuments, supporting ecological initiatives, and promoting renewable energy sources. By supporting filmmakers, visual artists, and musicians, the foundation simultaneously cares for the development of local communities, building bridges between art and everyday life. Instagram @lets_art_fund  

Mint   

MINT Gallery, established in 1998, complements contemporary design with unique limited-edition pieces and commissions. Their focus on embracing sustainability and innovation without compromising on poetic and timeless aesthetics makes them the perfect home for this collection of Polish Creatives.  www.mintgallery.co.uk 

'Curated Connections: Chapter 1 – Colour & Craft'  

Presenting Polish designers UAU Project, Agnieszka Bar, Malwina Konopacka, and Zieta Studio; a display of bold forms, experimental materials, and objects rich with cultural narrative. Moroso London, 7–15 Rosebery Ave, London EC1R 4SP | Mon–Thu: 9am–5pm | Fri: 9am–1pm | Free to attend.