Franciszek (Słońcesław) FRĄCZEK (1908 - 2006), Civilization in Paradise (1992)
oil, canvas
80 x 65 cm
Signed and dated p.d.: Frączek 92
Franciszek Frączek (1908 - 2006), artistic pseudonym of Słońcesław from Żołynia - painter and graphic artist. After graduating from high school in Łańcut, he began his studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow in the studios of Władysław Jarocki and Xawery Dunikowski. Influenced by Stanislaw Szukalski, he joined the "Horned Heart Strain," for which he was expelled from the academy in 1929. Together with members of this art group, he exhibited in major Polish cities and Chicago. Until his death, he pursued the "Horned Heart" program of seeking a Polish style in art. Of all of Szukalski's disciples, he was the most consistent and went the farthest in realizing the slogans he established. He engaged in painting and drawing. During the war he organized secret teaching and cooperated with the resistance movement of the Home Army and BCh. After liberation, he took part in numerous community and national exhibitions. He presented his work in Warsaw's Zachęta Gallery and Cracow's Palace of Art, among others. In addition to his artistic work, he was also involved in ethnography. He collected and compiled a collection of legends associated with the land of Łańcut. He was president of the Polish Folklore Society in Lancut, and co-founder of the "Earth" art group.
