Art In Exile

Polish Artists in Post-War Britain

paintings and works on paper

6 June - 19 July 2008

Coinciding with the book launch of Art in Exile Polish Artist in Post-War Britain by Douglas Hall
published by Sansom & Co, £ 29.95
This exhibition celebrates the work of Polish artists who were exiles from war and persecution who made their home in Britain.

Thanks to the book Art in Exile Polish Artists in Post-War Britain by Douglas Hall, our knowledge of some of the ten artists featured is far greater than before.
The common characteristic of these artists is hard to define, as they were such different individuals and artists. However, they brought a great knowledge of Polish modernist movements of the 20th century as well as a deep understanding of French art and German expressionism.
Also, they never abandoned the vital ingredient of their art: colour. These components would have enabled them to introduce an "interface between two cultures" and could have enriched the British art establishment but it was not ready to receive them. Consequently many of these artists remained isolated and unappreciated.
As Douglas Hall concludes succinctly the role of his book is remind ourselves, through the experience of the exiles among us that there have been other ways of feeling, … other ways of using creative ability for other expressive purposes …….a remembrance of "Otherness"
There has never been a better time to look at this group of artists and accord them the attention they merit now, that Poland is firmly integrated into the European community.

JANKEL ADLER (1895-1949) MARIAN BOHUSZ-SZYSZKO (1901-1995) STANISLAV FRENKIEL (1918-2001) HENRYK GOTLIB (1890-1966) JOSEF HERMAN (1911-2000) MARIAN KRATOCHWIL (1906-1997) PETER POTWOROWSKI (1898-1962) ZDZISLAW RUSZKOWSKI (1907-1991) MAREK ZULAWSKI (1908-1985) ALEKSANDER ZYW (1905-1995)

Peter Potworowski

Potworowski joined the Polish Cavalry during the First World War straight after school. His art training came later, in Krakow before going to Paris. Called up in 1939, he escaped to Sweden (on foot) and reached Scotland in 1943 before settling in London for 15 years. From 1948 onwards exhibited with Gimpel Fils. In 1953 he became a member of the London Group. He decided to return to Poland in 1958 where he had a great welcome. IN 1960 he represented Poland at the Venice Biennale. He is the best represented artist of this group in museums throughout Poland.

Zdzislaw Ruszkowski

Born in Eastern Poland, he studied art in Krakow. Like many Polish artists, went to Paris where he lived for 4 years until joining the Polish army in 1939. He reached Scotland in 1940. Moved to London in 1944 with his English wife and exhibited successfully with Roland Browse and Delbanco for many years. Ruszkowski is the best recorded of the Polish artists, thanks to some devoted collectors who published books about him. His works are in several public collections.

Aleksander Zyw

From North-East Poland, Zyw studied art in Warsaw followed by five years, until 1939, in Paris. Served with the Polish army in France. Escaping from there, he finally arrived in Scotland in 1944. Made his home in Edinburgh but also had a home in Italy where he spent increasingly more time over his later years. He died In Italy where he had two exhibitions in 1988, in Parma and Desenzario

Stanislav Frenkiel
Born in Krakow, studied there and went to Paris in 1938 for a year.In 1939 he escaped from Poland and after an unbelievably difficult journey through several countries, arrived in Beirut where he stayed until 1947, before settling in England - first in Sheffield, then London. He successfully combined teaching with art until his retirement in 1963 after which he painted full time. His work is held in numerous prestigious private collections

Jankel Adler

Born near Lodz, Adler trained and worked successfully as an artist in Germany. He left for Paris in 1933. When war broke out, he joined the Polish forces and was evacuated to Scotland. In Glasgow he played an important role as an inspiration for young artists, like Colquhoun and MacBryde. He is the best known among this group of Polish artists internationally and his works are in many museums throughout the world including the USA, Germany, UK and Israel.

Marian Bohusz Szyszko

He was born near Vilnius, then in Russian Poland, Bohusz Szyszko served in the Polish Army in 1919 against the Soviet incursion. He completed his art education in Krakow and qualified as a teacher. He joined the regular Polish Army in World War II but was taken prisoner by the Germans until 1945. He came to Britain in 1946 and was a prominent member of the community of Polish artists in London where he was a well respected teacher. His paintings focus on religious themes as well as the Scottish landscape. He married Dame Cicely Saunders, founder of the hospice movement and most of his works are displayed at St Christopher's hospice.

Marian Kratochwil

Born in Eastern Poland, studied philosophy and history and was self taught as an artist. Called up in 1939, he escaped and eventually arrived in Scotland. He taught at the Edinburgh College of Art before settling in London where he ran an art school. . The 1980s was a period of reminiscing and painted images recalling his childhood. After 1953, he spent much time in Spain which became his main subject matter His best works are held in public collections in Spain.