Maria i Feniks, Dwarf statue in Stare Miasto, Wrocław, Poland.
Maria i Feniks depicts two bronze figures locked in mutual resistance, pressed against each other as if caught in the moment of opposing force. The small sculpture sits at street level in the Old Town, where it blends into the urban landscape and becomes part of the broader collection of dwarf statues throughout the city.
Installed in 2021, this sculpture extends a tradition of dwarf figures that began appearing in Wrocław during the 1980s. At that time, these small statues were created as a form of artistic protest against authoritarian control and have since become woven into the city's character.
The figures show two people pushing against each other, capturing a moment of tension between opposing sides. You can read this conflict directly in how the bronze figures are positioned and how they interact in the public space.
The sculpture stands at street level in the Old Town and is easy to reach and photograph without needing special directions. If you want to see more dwarf statues, you can discover them naturally while walking through the historic streets.
The two figures represent a moment of mutual resistance, but they also connect to a civic movement that started in the 1980s as simple artistic gestures. This link between small sculptures and larger social meaning gives these works a depth that goes beyond their physical size in the city.
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