agnieszka pakuła | janusz korczak triptychon

janusz korczak triptychon

This triptychon was made for a special exibition commemorating Polish-Jewish educator and pediatrician Janusz Korczak (07.22. 1878 or 1879 - 08.1942). He was well known pedagogue, whose works have been translated into many languages. After spending many years working as director of an orphanage in Warsaw, he refused freedom and stayed with his orphans when the institution was sent from the Ghetto to Treblinka extermination camp, during the Grossaktion Warsaw of 1942. Each part of the triptychon was inspired by another side of the War World II conflict.

02101940

Portrait of Janusz Korczak, covered by the children's names, symbolizes his dedication to the pupils as well as his strong commitment to fight for children's rights. Title of the painting is a date of the official opening of the Warsaw Ghetto.

acrylic on canvas / 100x80 / 2012

00000000

The text visible in the background in this child's portrait, is a Jewish prayer‚ "Blessing for sons and daughters". I made the picture as raw and ascetic as I could. The barely visible boy's face seems to be taken from another reality or could even be connected with a phantom.

acrylic on canvas / 100x80 / 2012

22071942

The last picture of a German soldier was inspired by the nazi's announcement posters (Bekanntmachung) often used that days on the streets of Warsaw and other occupied cities. I used specific typography and elements (taken from this posters) to create dark and agressive picture, trying to recreate gloomy atmosphere of that time. The title of this painting refers to the day when the deportations in the Warsaw Ghetto started (so called Aktion Reinhardt).

acrylic on canvas / 100x80 / 2012