Through Polish-American EyesThe Art of Alice Wadowski-Bak

TOURINGEXHIBITION

The daughter of immigrant parents, artist Alice

Wadowski-Bak (1935-2008) grew up in a thriving

Catholic, Polish-American community in Niagara

Falls, NY. Throughout her life, Bak created

numerous works that drew inspiration from the

rich seasonal and liturgical customs and the

traditional arts that had surrounded her.

Offering examples of Bak’s work in different

media–paintings,

line drawings,

and traditional

paper-cuts

(wycinanki),

Through Polish-

American Eyes

is largely

arranged to

follow the

annual seasonal

celebrations

of Polish-

Americans,

both sacred and

secular, that take place in parish churches

and family homes. The show, as a whole,

demonstrates Bak’s deep engagement with

religious and Polish-American identity. Lavishly

detailed, the featured black and white

illustrations and cheerful paintings teem with

references to specific material culture and

customary practice. The delicate, lace-like

wycinanki give beautiful form to traditional verbal

arts–Polish folktales and proverbs. They were

originally created as illustrations for two

collections of Polish folklore compiled by

researcher Joanne Asala, Polish Folklore and

Myth (Penfield Press 2001) and Polish Proverbs

(Penfield Press 1995).

Barbara Frackiewicz, a friend and fellow artist

of Bak’s, reminds

us that “culture

lends a framework

for experiencing

life–for celebrating,

for worshipping, for

being.” Culture

also trains our

eyes, giving

historical

significance to

color, line and

form. Bak’s work

has the power to

evoke continuity within change, pulling other

times and places into the present. It transports

us, offering us a glimpse of the sustaining

beauty made available through collective wisdom

and celebration. At once nostalgic and forward-

looking, Bak’s illustrations and paper-cuts

demonstrate a sharp observation of lived

experience touched by a hope for its continued

relevance.

castellaniartmuseum.orgNiagara University, NY 14109-1938716.286.8200 fax: 716.286.8289

Number of works77 framed works accompaniedby informative text panels

Exhibition Space150-200 running feet

Exhibition Period8-10 weeks

InsuranceMust be provided by exhibition venue

Rental Fee$2,000 plus shipping

PublicationFull color exhibition brochureincluded

ContactCarrie HertzCurator of Folk ArtsCastellani Art MuseumNiagara University, NY 14109716.286.8290chertz@niagara.edu

The Flower Queen’s Daughter, 2001,wycinanki (cut paper)

Blessed Easter Basket, 2000, ink on paper

Child Looking for Star, 1988,ink on paper