Michał Batkiewicz (born September 8, 1957 in Nowy Targ) – a sculptor, student of prof. Marian Konieczny.

His artistic education began at an early age. In 1978 he graduated from the Antoni Kenar High School of Fine Arts in Zakopane, and then in 1984 Department of Sculpture at the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow – Diploma in studio of prof. Marian Konieczny.

He is the author of monumental works, e.g. he has made on a scale of 1: 3 replica of a wooden polychrome and gilt Veit Stoss altar from St. Mary’s Church in Krakow for the Church of St. John Cantius in Chicago, and has designed and carried out a wooden church with equipment in Lawton, USA.

Many of his monumental and plein-air works are scattered in different places of the globe. He has participated in many group and individual exhibitions. he uses wood, bronze, stainless steel, glass and stone by doing both projects and works in his own studio Art.-Studio Rzeźba Odlewnictwo in Szczyglice near Krakow, which includes both studio and foundry.

The artist is inspired by nature and everyday observation, and his sculptures are hard to classify in a specific stream. In his works, he uses animal theme, as the carrier of the blameless values and by assigning them human characteristics, he induces a self-ironic assessment of the spectator. Other sculptures in the series ”civilization” in which he collates expressive, geometric forms with the softness of natural shapes are designed to educate viewers on the impact of humankind on the environment.

Privately, Michael Batkiewicz is an old timers and Harley Davidson motorcycles hobbyist. He is also passionate about traveling, which are fresh inspirations for his projects. He owns five dogs. In 2003 he received the gold medal of merit, awarded by the Polish Primate Jozef Glemp.