I had the pleasure of curating an exhibition of paintings by Maria Wollenberg-Kluza, which filled the beautiful spaces of the bank PKO Bank Polski. 20 paintings created between 2019 and 2023 were displayed at the headquarters of Bank to remind us that this year marks 50 years since the Artist received a diploma in painting in 1973 from the Faculty of Painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw.
An artist who organized the first individual exhibition of her works in 1967 and has so far had over 160 individual exhibitions in Poland and abroad. To name just a few of them: Warsaw - Galeria Zachęta in 1989, Galeria Kordegarda - 1981, 1983, 2015, Gallery of Contemporary Art Krzywe Koło - 1974, 1977, Palace of Culture and Science - Jubilee Exhibition on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of creative work organized in 2007.
An artist who, in addition to many awards and distinctions given to, among others, by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage, including the Gloria Artis - Medal for Merit to Culture, is the winner of the Jan Cybis award for lifetime achievement.
Maria Wollenberg-Kluza is a precursor of reflective painting, originating from pre-romanticism, symbolism and Polish colorism. It refers to such artists as: Wiliam Blake, Witold Pruszkowski, Stanisław Wyspiański, Jacek Malczewski, Jan Cybis. This painting corresponds and refers to contemporary literature, philosophy, psychology and ancient art.
In her works, she deals with topics of human life, they are metaphorical and force us to think about our life. She tries to encourage the recipient to reflect personally. Her painting is characterized by strong expression and a contemporary understanding of art.
The art of Maria Wollenberg-Kluza fits into the current, strongly popularized trend of women's art, so her presence is certainly needed and very important.
We would like to thank the Management Board of PKO Bank Polski for providing the beautiful spaces of the PKO Rotunda meeting zone in Warsaw.