Dancer

The Dancer is an outdoor sculpture by Małgorzata Kopczyńska-Matusewicz, located in Poznań in the courtyard of the State Ballet School, at the intersection of Gołębia and Stare Miasto streets. The unveiling of the work took place on June 20, 2008. The sculpture depicts a nude ballerina in one of the characteristic ballet poses, symbolizing the transition from childhood to adulthood and femininity. The artist dedicated this work to her father, Professor Józef Kopczyński, emphasizing the importance of form in art, which is also reflected in his earlier achievements, such as "The Swimmer" in Rataje. Previously, the sculpture was exhibited in galleries alongside a mirror, which served as a reflection; in the school environment, its function was taken over by the students and their collective interaction with the work. The sculpture is an important cultural element of Poznań, highlighting not only the local ballet tradition but also the connections between art and the social context of education. In close proximity to The Dancer is the popular Goat Monument, making this area of the Old Town a place of rich tourist and cultural significance.