Marcin Krupa is a visual artist, curator and art tutor specialising in figurative sculpture, painting and drawing. Originally from Poland, he is now based in Edinburgh working from his studio in St Margaret’s House.
Marcin’s work aims to represent the beauty and diversity of the human figure in its various shapes, colours and forms, and to challenge social norms and taboos around nudity, sexuality and desire. By representing diverse people and body types, his work promotes body positivity and creates space for freedom, comfort and a deeper respect for human nature.
Marcin’s art education began at the age of 15 when he enrolled at the Kenar Artistic High School, Zakopane, Poland. It was here that he developed and mastered the techniques of woodcarving, casting, bronze and ceramics. During this time, the young artist took part in various residencies and workshops in Poland, France and Germany. After completing his Diploma, Marcin went on to study Art and Sculpture at the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdansk. He graduated in 2009 with a MA degree in Sculpture. In Gdansk, Marcin acquired the skills and the expertise needed to master human anatomy and drawing. He worked with a wide range of materials: stone, resins, faux stones, plaster and concrete. During the course of his studies the artist created multiple large-scale figures many of which were commissioned to be showcased internationally.
Since moving to Scotland in 2012 Marcin has continued to expand his artistic repertoire by forging new collaborations, and developing his drawing skills at the academy of Realist Art. and working as an assistant tutor at Leith School of Art. Since 2014, Marcin has continued to run life drawing workshops and classes supporting aspiring artists of all abilities to develop their skills, and since 2018 has worked as an assistant tutor for various painting and drawing courses at Leith School of Art. As well as being the gallery curator at Edinburgh Palette, he is also the co-founder and curator of two art collectives; Naked Aye Art and Nak.Ed.Art whose aim is to support and promote emerging artists working in figurative art.
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2004 – 2010 MA in Sculpture, Academy of Fine Arts, Gdansk, Poland.
1999 - 2004 Liceum Plastyczne [High School of Fine Arts specialising in Sculpture], Kenara, Poland.
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2022 Longlisted, Scottish Portrait Awards.
2009 Award for sculpture in stone, Sucha Beskidzka, Poland.
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2022
[Solo Exhibition], November, Gallery 2 Edinburgh Palette.
Pop up shop, Sketchy Beats, Edinburgh.
Face the Figure, Gallery 1, Edinburgh Palette.
Scottish Portrait Awards, Longlist exhibition (online).
2021
Ceramics and Glass, Edinburgh Palette, (online).
Figures, Edinburgh Palette, (online).
Indoors Outdoors life, [solo exhibition], Edinburgh Palette (online).
2020
Sense of Magi, Marcin Krupa & Xanthe O’Connor, Edinburgh Palette.
Nak.Ed.Art Collective, group exhibition at Leith School of Art.
2019
Nak.Ed.Art Collective, group show in gallery 1, 2 &3 at Edinburgh Palette.
Body Positive, Nak.Ed.Art Collective, at Ski Club, Howe Street Edinburgh.
2018
Metamorphosis, Marcin Krupa and Laura Manescau, Six Foot Gallery, Glasgow.
2017
Habitando un Cuerpo, Marcin Krupa & Laura Manescau, Edinburgh Palette.
2016
No Spoon Needed, a group show at The Biscuit Factory, Edinburgh.
Creep Me Oot, with Naked Aye Collective, St Margaret's House, Edinburgh.
2015
Shapes That Shift Desire, with Naked Aye, St Margaret's House, Edinburgh.
2015
Outdoor exhibition, Kelburn Castle and Country Estate, Largs. (Sculptures)
Naked Aye, Group Exhibition.
2014
Tenant's Show, St Margaret's House, Edinburgh.
2013
Tenant's Show, St Margaret's House, Edinburgh.
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2018 - present, tutor support on Beginners drawing and painting, Contemporary Leith Landscape, and Drawing and painting the Figure courses course at Leith School of Art.
2019 - 2020, tutor support on “Landscape painting” course at Leith School of Art
2018 - 2020, tutor support on “Figure” course at Leith School of Art.
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2019-present Gallery Curator, Edinburgh Palette, St Margaret’s House.
2015-present Co-founder and curator, Naked Eye Collective.
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2016 Steeple studios, painting, Newburgh, Scotland.
2007 Sculpture in concrete, Rodowo, Poland.
2006 Sculpture installation in concrete and fabric, Zlocieniec, Poland
2004 Sculpture, Bobrka, Poland.
2003 Painting, Bayonne, France.
2003 Sculpture in wood, Haldesleben, Germany.
2002 Sculpture in wood and glass, Ostroleka, Poland.
@marcikrup
