Antoni Kenar (born 23 October 1906, in Iwonicz, died 19 February 1959, in Zakopane) was a Polish sculptor, educator, and director of the Antoni Kenar School of Fine Arts in Zakopane. He was also a mountaineer.
He was born on 23 October 1906, in Iwonicz, to the family of Szymon and Franciszka née Jarocià Âska. He completed primary school in Iwonicz. In 1925, he graduated from the State School of Wood Industry in Zakopane, specializing as an ornamental sculptor. His teacher and mentor were Karol Stryjeà Âski. He completed his studies at the sculpture department of the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw. In 1938, he returned to Zakopane. During the occupation, he stayed in Warsaw. In the autumn of 1941 and the spring of 1942, he lived in the village of Balice, in the à ÂwiÃÂtokrzyskie Voivodeship, where he created wooden sculptures for the local church altar and a stone statue of Jesus Christ made from Pià Âczów stone, standing in front of the church. After the Warsaw uprising, he was deported by the Germans to forced labor camps in Oberhausen and Essen. In 1947, he returned to Zakopane and took up a position at the State School of Wood Industry. From 1954, he became the director of the school, which, after reorganization in 1948, was named the State High School of Fine Arts. A few months after Kenar's death, the school was officially named after him.
His work was part of the art competitions at the 1932 Summer Olympics and the 1948 Summer Olympics.
Kenar's merit lay in the profound education system reform in School of Fine Arts in Zakopane, combining creative freedom, respect for folk art tradition, proficient craftsmanship, and an understanding of contemporary art trends. Many artists graduated from the "Kenar School," including sculptors such as Wà Âadysà Âaw Hasior, Stanisà Âaw Kulon, Antoni Rzàsa, and Bronisà Âaw "Buni" Tusk.
In his own artistic creations, Kenar blended elements of the Podhale region with influences from Cubism and Art Deco. Some of his preserved works include: "Anioà Âek" (1937), "Narciarka" (Skier)(1948), "Dyskobolka" (1956), "Niedà ºwiedà º" (1955), "Madonna" (1941), the design for the Auschwitz Victims Monument (1952), as well as sculptures on the ships MS Batory and MS Pià Âsudski. Additionally, the artist's work includes the cross on the grave of Karol Stryjeà Âski (1933).