Michał Batkiewicz was born in Nowy Targ (Poland) in 1957. He graduated from the Antoni Kenar Complex of Art Schools in Zakopane in 1978. In 1984 he graduated from the Jan Matejko Academy of  Fine Arts in Cracow, where he studied sculpture and obtained a degree in the studio of Professor Marian Konieczny.

He is the author of such monumental works of art as, for instance, one-third scale replica of the wooden, polychromous and gilded Veit Stoss (Wit Stwosz) Altar at St. Mary's Church in Cracow, Poland for St. John Cantius Church in Chicago, Illinois, USA. This imposing copy, carved by Michał Batkiewicz over an eight year period, is the largest and most detailed of work of its kind.

Moreover, he has designed and participated in the building of St. Anne’s Chapel (a wooden chapel in the style of traditional wooden churches from the mountain region of southern Poland) located in Lawton, Michigan, USA. He has also designed and made the furnishing of the chapel’s interior.

What is more, he has carved many outdoor sculptures and monuments, including those in Hamburg, Germany; Buenos Aires in Argentina; Toledo in the USA; Turin and Nichelino in Italy and Komarno in Slovakia. His monuments have been also erected in the towns and cities of his homeland, Poland, namely in Warsaw, Radom, Lublin, Poznan, Rabka Zdrój, Nowy Targ and Wrocław as well as in Cracow Zoo, where the sculptures of animals are exhibited.

In 2003 Michał Batkiewicz was presented the Gold Medal of Merit by the Polish Cardinal, Józef Glemp. He is also the author of a great number of commemorative plaques, special occasion statuettes and medals. His artistic works have been presented at many solo and group exhibitions both in Poland and abroad.

His sculpting materials are wood, bronze, stainless steel and stone from which he designs and carves the sculptures in his own studio.

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