Mug Jan "Beautiful Monkey of Europe"

An exceptional collection of mugs with decorations referring to the collection of "Beautiful Monkey of Europe".

The graphics of the porcelain paintings were transferred from large porcelain plates, made in the form of decals and fixed on porcelain mugs.

Available in the collection are selected graphics. Please to choose your monkey from the drop-down list next to the product.

Beautiful Monkeys of Europe.

They fill us with wonder in galleries around the world, carrying out the artist’s message. “This is my warning to mankind. I dream of a more open, tolerant world, jointly solving global problems,” says Adam Spała, the originator and designer of the “Beautiful Monkeys of Europe” collection.

Let’s go back to 2004. The date is not accidental. The artist was inspired by the Polish accession to the European Union. “This is the result of my long search for a sculpture and painting theme that would connect, not divide, the whole of Europe – all 47 countries,” says Adam Spała. It was the beginning of the “Beautiful Monkeys of Europe” project. For more than seven years, the Porcelain Factory AS Ćmielów has witnessed the world’s only collection of the artist’s 47 paintings.

He chose a unique “canvas”, namely porcelain plates manufactured in the Porcelain Factory AS Ćmielów. On them, subsequent elements were painted – in an art deco style, under the strict control of the designer, who had chosen the style and colours, specified proportions and created the whole concept. Each painting was fired several times at high temperatures (800˚C and 1100˚C). First, multicoloured monkeys were created – with original forms, often with attributes typical to that of a given European country. Then, there were painted teacups from AS Ćmielów with national flags that connected the series of paintings. Finally, a cobalt background with the most characteristic architecture of each country was made.

The place of the première of “Beautiful Monkeys of Europe” was special – the National Museum in Hanoi (Vietnam). The exhibition took place in 2011 and was timed so as to coincide with the Polish presidency of the Council of the European Union.

“The collection of paintings is a metaphor for ‘destruction’, the upcoming end of civilization. If the countries don’t work together, we will be doomed. I fear that selfish thinking can get us dangerously close to the level of animals from my paintings,” warns the author.

Each painting was made in only one copy and the whole collection can be viewed in the Van Rij Gallery in Ćmielów. The collection is completed with the 48th painting – Adam Spała’s portrait.