Controversy around the sculpture ‘Gaja’ in Busko-Zdrój. Can art be besides provocative

Revealed at the end of September in Busku-Zdrój, the sculpture “Gaja” by Maurycy Gomulicki became 1 of the loudest topics in Polish culture. The installation, financed by public funds, aroused a wave of emotion and fierce criticism from Confederate and Law and Justice politicians. There have been allegations of "a waste of money" and "a deficiency of respect for taxpayers".

Art for PLN 300 thousand

The sculpture “Gaja” was unveiled in Busku-Zdrój on 27 September 2025. The author of the installation is simply a well-known artist and graphic artist Maurice Gomulicki, which for years has been creating projects balancing at the border of pop culture and contemporary art. The work cost PLN 301 1000 and was financed by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage as part of the “Storage in Public Space for the Independent – 2025”.

The backing from the state budget amounted to over PLN 270 thousand. The artist himself emphasizes that sculpture of Gaia it's not a random plan – its form and colours are symbolic. The sculpture depicts the mythical “Mother Earth”, embodying fertility, life and strength of nature.

A wave of criticism from politicians

Despite artistic intentions, sculpture of Gaia met with a violent reaction of any public opinion. The most aggressive consequence was from right-wing politicians who considered the task unnecessary and offensive.

Michał Silenty of the Confederacy described the installation as a "paszquil built for taxpayers' money", publishing her photograph on platform X. The entry rapidly became a viral, and in the comments the netizens spared no criticism – from words about a “plastic doll” to comparisons to absurds from Barea films.

Ms Anna Krupka besides joined the discussion, who said that culture should bring people together and rise pride alternatively than controversy. "I don't head art, but I do head waste," she wrote.

Should public money finance contemporary art?

Dispute sculpture of Gaia opened a wider debate on financing culture in Poland. Politicians, including Paweł Lisiecki and Joanna Lichocka from PiS, point out that public funds should primarily focus on infrastructure investments – roads, hospitals or education – alternatively than on "costive artistic installations".

In turn, the task supporters argue that contemporary art always stimulates emotions and is meant to provoke reflection. As Dorota Tworek of the fresh Art Space reminds us, Gomulicki's work is not accidental – intense red symbolizes life, passion and energy, but itself sculpture of Gaia It's expected to remind you of a man's connection to nature.

It's not the first time art has awakened emotion

It's not the first time an art installation funded with public money has sparked discussion. In Gliwice, on the European Skwer, a monumental thumb-shaped sculpture stood, which besides divided the inhabitants. The task cost PLN 300 thousand, of which 90 1000 covered the city.

Some people considered it an interesting accent in urban space, others – an unnecessary expense. specified controversy shows that contemporary art inactive remains a field of abrasion of different planet views and expectations towards culture.

Art or provocation?

Maurice Gomulicki is known for projects balancing between pop-art aesthetics and erotic symbol. His works frequently give emergence to a discussion about the boundaries of art, artistic freedom and its place in public space. Sculpture of Gaia, although criticized, fits into this kind – full of colors, exaggerations and expression.

But should this form be financed by public funds? The opinions stay divided. For any it is simply a manifestation of the artist's creativity and courage, for others – unnecessary provocation, which ridicules the thought of common financing of culture.

Controversy around the installation in Busko-Zdrój shows how much emotion modern art inactive evokes. Sculpture of Gaia by Maurice Gomulicki It has become not only a media theme, but besides an excuse for a broader discussion of what public art is present and what function it should play. Regardless of the assessment of the project, 1 thing is certain – “Gaja” did not leave anyone indifferent.