A ceramic jar shaped like a whimsical animal sculpture of a cartoonish small dog.

Agata Iwaszkiewicz Transforms Clay into Whimsical Animal Sculptures from Her Gdańsk Studio

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Written by John Oliver

2026-08-07

A Warm Embrace with Clay

At the age of 41, Agata Iwaszkiewicz discovered her true medium in clay. “I knew I’d found what I had been looking for,” she shared with Colossal. This newfound passion sparked the creation of Ceramika Matylda. Based in Gdańsk, Poland, Iwaszkiewicz brings a fresh and whimsical touch to her charming animal figures and other clay creations, often inspired by her profound love for animals.

For those interested in other artists transforming everyday items, Erin Sullivan’s miniature outdoor scenes offer a new perspective on using household items creatively.

Whimsical Animal Sculptures: Celebrating Life Through Art

Iwaszkiewicz is notably inspired by dogs, capturing their charm with cartoonish faces and quirky limbs. Her latest poodle collection pays homage to her late dog, Rudolf. “These pieces are incredibly personal to me,” she notes, reflecting on how they celebrate the joy Rudolf brought into her life.

Three ceramic salt and pepper shakers shaped like cartoonish small dogs.
a trio of ceramic sculptural salt and pepper shakers in the form of cartoonish small dogs

Functional Art with a Twist

The creations in Ceramika Matylda are both artistic and functional—spanning jars, candleholders, and salt shakers. Yet, Iwaszkiewicz also explores pure sculpture, creating scenes like a horse leaping over a wave while playfully giving an octopus a ride.

Ceramic jar designed as a cartoonish small dog sculpture.
a ceramic sculptural jar in the form of a cartoonish small dog
Ceramic wall decoration of a cartoonish animal with a conical hat.
a ceramic wall decoration of a cartoonish dog or rabbit-like animal with a little conical hat

The Playful Essence of Her Creations

“I like my work to be open to interpretation,” Iwaszkiewicz says. Her playful sculptures are imbued with humor and playfulness, reflecting her aesthetic and view of beauty. She never takes the world too seriously, allowing for diverse interpretations.

Explore more of her delightful creations on Instagram and her Etsy shop, where originals await art lovers.

Cartoonish horse sculpture leaping over a wave with an octopus.
a ceramic sculpture of a cartoonish horse leaping over a wave with an octopus along the ride

Discover Gothic sculptures from found materials that explore a unique artistic process, resonating with Agata Iwaszkiewicz’s whimsical themes.

Six ceramic mugs featuring goofy cartoonish animal faces.
six ceramic mugs with goofy cartoonish animal faces
Cartoonish ceramic sculpture of a pudgy white dog with a pink candlestick.
a cartoonish ceramic sculpture of a pudgy white dog that holds a pink candlestick
Ceramic mug with cartoonish animal face, filled with balls of yarn.
a ceramic mug filled with balls of yarn, with a cartoonish animal face
Cartoonish rabbit-like ceramic sculpture with a small blue bowl on its head.
a cartoonish ceramic sculpture of a rabbit-like creature with a little blue bowl on its head
Ceramic sculptural jar mimicking a cartoonish small dog.
a ceramic sculptural jar in the form of a cartoonish small dog

Source: thisiscolossal.com

Frequently asked questions

What inspired Agata Iwaszkiewicz’s latest poodle collection?

Her latest poodle collection pays homage to her late dog, Rudolf. These pieces are incredibly personal to her as they celebrate the joy Rudolf brought into her life.

Where is Ceramika Matylda based?

Ceramika Matylda is based in Gdańsk, Poland.

What kind of figures does Agata Iwaszkiewicz create?

Agata Iwaszkiewicz creates charming animal figures and other clay creations, often featuring whimsical and cartoonish elements inspired by her love for animals.