16th September – 9th October, Polish Social and Cultural Association, POSK, 238-246 King Street London W6 0RF United Kingdom
The Anglo-Polish Cultural Exchange Festival is back this autumn for its 3rd edition with a series of events taking place at the Polish Social & Cultural Association (POSK).
The Festival begins with the the exhibition: “EMIGRATION. WILL I MAKE IT? , the first retrospective exhibition of Polish-born, UK-based artist, illustrator and graphic designer Joanna Ciechanowska. It also features an illustrated talk by curator Dr Julia Grffin on curating Polish Art in the UK and Art Workshops with Anglo-Polish artist Ania Ruszkowski.
See all events and links below. All events are FREE, but booking via Eventbrite is advised.
This year’s festival is organised in partnership with the Association for Art History and its #ArtHistoryFestival2024 and features as part of the Art History 2024 festival programme, which can be found here: ART HISTORY FESTIVAL 2024 – London and National – For Art History
Launched in 2022, the Anglo-Polish Cultural Exchange is a collaborative project between the Polish Cultural Institute in London, the Polish Social and Cultural Association (POSK), also known as the Polish Centre, and Ognisko Polskie (Polish Hearth). The project celebrates the contribution of the Polish diaspora, one of the largest community groups in the country, to British culture and society.
3rd Anglo-Polish Cultrual Exchange Festival Programme 2024:
See all events under one link, here: 3rd APCE Annual Festival 2024 by Polish Social and Cultural Association POSK | Eventbrite
Or see individual events and links below:
18th September, 6:30pm, Private View, EMIGRATION. WILL I MAKE IT? Joanna Ciechanowska: A Retrospective Exhibition (1970-2024)
Private View of the first retrospective exhibition of the Polish-born, UK-based artist, illustrator and graphic designer Joanna Ciechanowska.
The exhibition traces Ciechanowska’s rich and versatile creative output in the context of her vicissitudes and the itinerary of her life journey as an émigré woman artist together with key formative influences. Having left Poland during the communist regime in 1977, Joanna came to Britain where she met her English civil engineer husband. Together they were sent to many international postings – from Iran, through Africa (including the Kingdom of Lesotho and Egypt) to Hong Kong, and post-communist Poland, where Ciechanowska was able to re-connect with her Polish roots, before settling down in Great Britain. By the 1980s Ciechanowska became a distinguished international illustrator and graphic designer, before taking on the role of POSK Gallery Director, promoting and mentoring Polish artists in the UK.
Free, Register via Eventbrite:
If you can’t make it to the Private View, the exhibition runs from 16th September – 9th October, 9am-9pm, Free Admission or Check Out one of the Curatorial Tours on the 19th of September below:
19th September 11am-12pm & 6-7:30pm, Two Curatorial Tours with artist Joanna Ciechnowska and curator Dr Julia Griffin of the exhibition “EMIGRATION. WILL I MAKE IT?”
Curatorial Tours of the first retrospective exhibition of the Polish-born, UK-based artist, illustrator and graphic designer Joanna Ciechanowska.
Free, Register via Eventbrite:
20th September, 11:30am – 1pm, Illustrated Talk by Anglo-Polish Curator Dr Julia Griffin and Q&A
The Anglo-Polish Cultural Exchange (APCE) at the Polish Social and Cultural Association is a public cultural programming forum and a social inclusion campaign, aimed at celebrating Polish diaspora’s contributions to British culture and society. This illustrated talk by Dr Julia Griffin, APCE Curator, traces her personal journey and experience of curating Anglo-Polish art in the UK. It will discuss ways of making Polish art relatable to diverse British society, focussing on the curatorial rationale, challenges and public resonance of several recent exhibitions including Young Poland (William Morris Gallery, 2021-2022); as well as APCE shows at the POSK Gallery – Andrzej Klimowski and Danusia Schejbal: Theatre of Dreams (2022); Punks, Princes and Protests: the Chronicles of Feliks Topolski RA (with Topolski Studio, 2023); Ania Ruszkowski: Recreating Home (2024) and the current Emigration. Will I Make It? Joanna Ciechanowska: A Retrospective (1970-2024). The talk seeks to start a debate why Polish art matters in Britain.
Free, Register via Eventbrite:
20th September, 2pm-3pm, The Depiction of Migration in Contemporary UK Art. Talk by Anglo-Polish artist Ania Ruszkowski
Ania Ruszkowski is a practising artist whose work explores her Anglo-Polish heritage and migrant roots. With UK’s migration being a regular part of political, social and economic discourse, Ania explores and questions how global migration is captured at a local level in contemporary British art and whether current exhibitions are representative of the richness of Britain’s diverse diaspora groups? She will explore recent installations, exhibitions and artworks which have arisen as a consequence of migration, linking these to some of the challenges of representing the migrant story and identity faced by artists (including herself) today. These include the connotations of migration with refugeeism, the complexities of how to differentiate migrant culture, nationality and ethnicity, and the place of hybrid cultures within such depictions. A lively and topical presentation will leave you with more questions than you came with.
Free, Register via Eventbrite:
21st September, 11am & 2:30pm, Art Workshop: An Exploration of Art and Identity led by Ania Ruszkowski
Release your creativity, and create a work of art which captures your unique identity. This interactive workshop is designed for adults and teenagers, with no expectation or need to know how to draw. Complete novices and budding artists are equally welcome. Participants will explore what forms individual and group identity. Visual examples will be shared to demonstrate how art has reflected identity historically and the different approaches used; and to consider how present global migration means we are no longer defined by a single culture or nationality. Participants will then create images to reflect their local and global migrant influences. The workshop is led by Ania Ruszkowski – a qualified Learning Specialist and practising artist whose work explores her own migrant history and Anglo-Polish identity. Techniques to choose from will include drawing and/or collage. All materials will be provided; please bring any mementoes such as photographs, books, etc to inspire you.
Free, Register via Eventbrite:
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