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Jerzy Fober, “He Who Has Eyes, Let Him Listen”, 2009 – symbolic sacred sculpture with a Pietà motif
Jerzy Fober’s sculpture “He Who Has Eyes, Let Him Listen” (2009) is a deeply moving work that lies at the intersection of sacred and existential sculpture. It depicts a faceless human figure in a reclining position, resting on a massive base reminiscent of a hollowed-out tree trunk. One side of this wooden shell is reinforced with vertical structural elements, giving the piece the aura of a reliquary or a fragment of archaic architecture.
The rough, natural wood is contrasted with white polychromy and gilding visible inside the trunk. The interior evokes a luminous hidden sanctuary – the artist himself compares the trunk to a tabernacle, introducing a strong Eucharistic dimension. The surface of the figure is covered with numerous shallow incisions, particularly evident on the chest and abdomen, which contrast with the smooth, glossy areas coated in white ground. This juxtaposition highlights the tension between wounded flesh and a purified, almost iconic outer layer.
The pose of the body recalls traditional representations of the Pietà or the Entombment – a horizontal, vulnerable figure gently presented on a wooden “altar” becomes a sign of sacrifice, silence and mystery. The title “He Who Has Eyes, Let Him Listen” paradoxically intertwines sight and hearing, suggesting that the most important message lies beyond what is literally seen. Material and form together create a charged, symbolic image of the mystery of faith and human fragility, making this work a significant example of contemporary Polish religious sculpture.
Keywords: Jerzy Fober “He Who Has Eyes, Let Him Listen” sculpture, contemporary Polish sacred art, wooden figurative sculpture, Pietà and Entombment motif, tabernacle-inspired sculpture, polychrome religious sculpture, existential spiritual art.
