Józef Hulka

Józef Hulka (28 February 1926 – 25 July 2026) was a Polish sculptor and glass painter. During his career, he won Oskar Kolberg Award in 1992 and the Gloria Artis Medal for Merit to Culture in 2026.

Early life and career Józef Hulka was born on 28 February 1926, at Łękawica, Poland, and was raised in Żywiec Beskids region. He started getting interested in Sculpting when he was young. He trained as a carpenter by trade. He began carving with wood carving. He used local woods such as alder, linden, and birch. He also performed a puppet show during Christmas festival.

His sculptures were mostly of Jesus Christ, Mary, mother of Jesus, saints, angels, and biblical people. He carved the figures from the woods he found for the church of St. Michael the Archangel in Łękawica, which was built in 1995. After the original wooden church burned down in 1992, he created several sculptures, including the Stations of the Cross.

Hulka sang carols himself and put on puppet shows using figures he made. His wife, Anna, helped him make the masks and puppets before making her own art. He also wrote old carol song lyrics, which were published by the Żywiec Museum in the songbook Hej kolęda będzie.

Personal life and death Hulka was married to , a sculptor.