The Matchstick Man

    • Reuters
    • Publish Date: May 17 2016 3:55PM
    • |
    • Updated Date: May 17 2016 4:25PM
The Matchstick Man
Janusz Urbansk looks on as he sits among his matchstick sculptures in his flat in Ruda Slaska, Poland. Reuters/Kacper Pempel

RUDA SLASKA, Poland: Janusz Urbanski has a one of a kind chessboard he never plays, a personalised guitar he does not strum and a boat he cannot sail. Why? They are all made from tens of thousands of matches.

A replica of the truck made from matchsticks. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel 

For the last 40 years, the former Polish miner and ironworker has harboured a passion to build replicas of objects, buildings and famous sites with just matchsticks and glue. The 60-year old's home in Ruda Slaska, a small town in Poland's southern Silesia region, is filled with such sculptures as well as plastic bags full of matchboxes.

A combination picture shows Holy Spirit Church in Ruda Slaska and its replica made by Janusz Urbanski.  REUTERS/Kacper Pempel 

"It takes me 10, 12 hours every day. Once you begin, it pulls you in, you want to finish fast and see the end product," Urbanski told Reuters. "You already have the next idea brewing in your head." Urbanski believes he has used around 11 million matches since he first started making the sculptures, a hobby which began from a model making workshop.

He burns the heads before painstakingly gluing the matches together. His sculptures fill his flat and vary in size. The boat, named "Stefania" after his late mother-in-law, is 2.4 metres (7.9 ft) long. "I wanted to make a big boat to commemorate her," he said. "Maybe this is the biggest ship made from matchsticks."

Urbanski has also made a replica of part of the Great Wall of China, which took him several months and around 150,000 matches. He also has replicas of the Eiffel Tower, Golden Gate Bridge, a soccer stadium, truck and small house.

A local celebrity, he likes to make the sculptures as gifts and rarely sells them.  But some of his works are displayed at a local museum and a replica of his local church was donated to the parish. "I'm proud of every one of my works," Urbanski said. "When I make something, it's big. Of course it takes time, but I put my heart into it." 

Urbansk glues matchsticks to make a new sculpture in his flat in Ruda Slaska, Poland 

More From RISING-STARS...

Comments

SACHIDANANDA SAHU VANI VIDYALAYA S.S.S & JR. COLG

OMG!!! it looks so realistic !!!!!!!!!

KEERTHANA VANI VIDYALAYA S.S.S & JR. COLG

OMG!!!!!! IT IS LOOKING SOOOO REAL. NICE WORK!!!!

POST YOUR OWN ARTICLE, PHOTO & VIDEO

SIMPLY FILL DETAILS & POST


 
SIGN UP & EXPLORE MORE...
*


*
* *
* *
img
REGISTRATION SUCCESSFUL...
THANK YOU FOR REGISTERING
  • About Us

Times Newspaper in Education (Times NIE) is a novel program that helps students ‘Stay Ahead’ and aims at making ‘Learning Fun’. It introduces concepts that help individual growth and development beyond school curriculum.

A brainchild of The Times of India, the world’s leading English newspapers, Times NIE nurtures progress and innovation. Adapted from the international concept, Times Newspaper in Education program (Times NIE) was initiated in India in 1985.

Today we have over 3000 schools and over 9 lac students subscribing to the programme, spanning 16 cities viz. Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Kochi, Lucknow, Coimbatore, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, and Jaipur.

The Times of India Student edition, a customized student newspaper exclusively for the students, packs a powerful punch in terms of content that leads to a smarter and superior learning experience. The information is crafted such that it finds use in classroom discussions, thus making it relevant and current. It truly gives education a new dimension by fostering the simple habit of reading which in turn paves the way for a confident, informed and aware individual. A newspaper that inspires young minds and equips them to face challenges of today’s world, making way for global citizens.

Empowering students with new cutting-edge knowledge through various educative and informative activities is a commitment and tradition of Times NIE. The programme serves as a catalyst of education and interaction, as well as a window into the minds of the quintessential Indian youth. On a significant scale Times NIE comprises diverse interesting activities and events that boost the child’s passion for learning, while revealing hidden talent.

While you are aware that The Times of India is among the leading English Newspapers across the world, it has consummated its position as an everlasting winner. With several international awards and recognitions to its credit, The Times of India and Times NIE have validated an enduring tradition of setting the highest benchmarks in every respect. We have been awarded with the two most prestigious awards, Times NIE - World’s No.1 NIE program and The Times of India, Student Edition - World’s No.1 Newspaper for the youth in 2006 by the celebrated World Association of Newspapers (WAN). In 2008 we were honoured by the International Newspaper Marketing Association (INMA), yet another international recognition for ‘Youth Audience Development’. In 2013 we were again honoured by the celebrated World Association of Newspapers (WAN) as the ‘Times NIE - World’s Best Youth Engagement Program’.

Times NIE has grown remarkably over the last three and a half decades, touching millions of children across more than 16 Indian cities. Our absolute commitment towards the fledgling generation remains undiluted and our greatest strength lies in the school partnership and commitment.

  • Times NIE World Awards
EDIT STUDENT PROFILE...



img

JOIN NOW !!!

Create or join groups, share your views, ideas through posts (Text, Pictures & Videos)

GOT A QUERY?

FEEL FREE TO ASK HERE. GET IT ANSWERED BY EXPERTS

CLICK HERE TO SEE YOUR PREVIOUS QUERIES

win

Why You Think India Is Great....