Another interview in the series “People of the Shipyard”
Nina Sobczak is an artist and welder at PGZ Stocznia Wojenna. Her professional path is unusual – she went from painting and art projects to the welding shop, where she combines artistic sensitivity with technical precision. In the interview, she talks about how she found herself in the manly world of the shipyard, her passions and plans for the future.
How did you find your way to our shipyard?
I have always been a “manual” person. Besides art, I was also interested in the technical side of things. Last summer I got such a gift from life in the form of a welding course. This attracted more opportunities and soon after that I was offered a job here. I am glad that I came under the wings of an experienced welder ( Grzegorz Klechowicz), a true master from whom I can learn. Welding itself is also an art form for me – it requires great knowledge of the material, patience and manual precision.
What was this welding course like?
It lasted less than a month. It was a new experience – a new machine, a manly environment. The difficulties were of differing nature, but not the welding itself. I had a great instructor, Adam, whose approach really appealed to me. It was he who encouraged me to continue developing in this direction.
What did you do before?
I was involved in art in a broad sense. I painted murals, paintings on canvases, made burnouts on wood. I used tools very similar to the handle of a welder – also requiring precision and knowledge of materials. In art, as in welding, you need to have a spatial imagination and know how to connect the pieces. I’ve painted on everything from old CRT TVs to cars, bicycles and telephones.
Photo: Porsche Surfari hand-painted by Nina. Photo author: Nikos Karampotis
One of your more famous projects was the Porsche for Surfari?
Yes, it was a collaboration with Patryk Mikiciuk, an automotive journalist. I had already painted Mickey Mouse on a Ford GPW for him before. This time it was a Porsche in a special surfer version, with gold paint. The project gained worldwide publicity. This car was already very impressive before the graphics were applied – it had a beautiful golden hue.
What exactly did your work on this project consist of?
The graphics were designed by the Lange & Lange studio, and my job was to make them by hand. The idea was to keep a trace of handwork, like in the old days – so that you could see the imperfections of hand movement, rather than perfectly straight lines. It was quite a physical challenge – I probably used all possible positions when painting. But the result was worth the effort! For this project, I also worked with Tomek Staniszewski, who recently took fourth place in the Dakar Rally.
Photo: Nina not only paints on cars, but is a true automotive enthusiast. In the photo, she is standing between a famous Porsche design and her beloved Fiat 500, which she imported from Italy!
How do you find yourself in the male environment of the shipyard?
They have received me wonderfully. The managers, Slawek Skowronek and Slawek Januszewski, brought me into this realm with a sense of security. I have my own position, and my colleagues are very supportive. I am especially grateful to Grzegorz Klechowicz, who is my mentor. He is a true master welder with a wealth of knowledge and experience.
Certainly not many women choose to do this kind of work, but I am encouraged by what I have heard about the situation in France – there the profession of welder is something quite normal. Interestingly, French female welders most often work with the TIG method, which I also chose. In our shipyard the environment is still heavily male, which is understandable due to the physical nature of the work, but I was received extremely warmly. The guys even prepared a special table for me with a vice support – a real work of art! Every day they greet me with a smile and a kind word. I feel really appreciated there.
Photo: The surfacing method in Nina’s hands becomes an artistic tool. Two plaques created by Nina for her mentor Gregory.
Do you already feel confident in your new role?
This is still the beginning of the journey. I no longer feel like a complete layman, but I still continue to consult with Gregory. I do most of the work myself, and he verifies the results and advises on what can be improved. He is often delighted with my welds, which is very motivating.
Photo: Nina and her mentor Grzegorz Klechowicz.
What are your plans for the future?
I want to further develop myself in welding. I plan to buy my own TIG welder so I can combine welding with art. I’m already using my new skills in art projects – for example, I created a welder’s granotebride with a birthday sign for Grzegorz, using the surfacing technique he taught me. This is interesting, because surfacing is usually used to permanently mark pipes on ships or vessels, where ordinary lettering would wear out. And I used the technique artistically.
And besides work and art, do you have any other interests?
I breed African snails. I have two – they are called Fast and Furious (laughs). They are the size of the palm of your hand and live in a special terrarium with coconut substrate. They are great animals to observe, they calm and inspire. Besides, I am preparing for a triathlon competition. I’m planning to compete in Gniewino in July – the distance is 0.5 km swimming, 22.5 km cycling and 5 km running. I started with running, which I didn’t like before because I couldn’t breathe properly. Now I love all three disciplines. It’s a great form of relaxation, and at the same time helps me stay in shape needed for my job as a welder. I also enjoy shooting at the range. I recently found out there are other fans of this sport at our Shipyard, and they invited me to join their group.
To see more of Nina’s work, visit:
Facebook: Lusso Art Atelier
Instagram: @lusso_art_atelier
