POLISH HANDCRAFT WORKSHOPS IN PAPEETE PUBLICZNE GIMNAZJUM IN CZARNA PAPEETE

„...Folk art is dependent on surrounding nature, beliefs, value systems, social relations. Nobody created “art” in this culture, nobody even knew this concept, but human inborn sense of rhythm, harmony and symmetry caused that even when human created household items, he made them beautiful…” Aleksander Jackowski

NORTHERN REGION KASHUBIAN EMBROIDERY ROOT WEAVING KASHUBIAN POTTERY

Kashubian embroidery – symbolism and history Kashubian embroidery is inspired by the beauty of nature. Flower motifs are the most characteristic: pansies, cornflowers, blue-bells, carnations, lillies, forget-me- nots and roses. They are presented with unusual precision and attention to details.

In Kashubian embroidery every colour has its symbolic meaning.There are seven basic colours connected with the legend of the creation of Kashubia. The colours symbolize the elements of nature, that God used to make Kashubian land beautiful while creating it. cornflower blue symbolizes the beautiful Kashubian lakes, blue is the colour of Kashubian sky, dark blue is like the unmeasurable depth of sea, yellow reflects the colour of cereals ripening in fields green stands for forests full of game, red is like blood that every Kashubian is ready to spill for protection of their land brown and black are like soil ready for being planted.

Root weaving

Weaving is the only brand of folk craft that is not subject to regionalisation: it is present in every region of Poland (although it is quite rare in the mountain regions). Vessels woven with the roots of pine and juniper, typical of the Kashubian region, are so dense and tight that they can be used to carry water !! Water jugs made of roots used to be firefighters‘ buckets. Weaving traditions in the Kashubian region date back to Middle Ages. Roots of pine, spruce and juniper are used in this type of weaving.

Kashubian ceramics

Pottery is one of the earliest craft forms, and most closely connected with land. Potters were learning their art for a few years: they learnt to find the right type of clay, keep the proper temperature in the kiln, understand the effect of fire. Gradually, so called grey ceramics was giving way to glazed pottery. Kashubian pottery represents the later type.

Characteristic features: The oldest ornament is the branch of lilac, known also as lilac bouquet. Other patterns, small and large tulips also can be found in all types of Kashubian decorations. Geometric Kashubian star in an a typical motive. Popular decorations include fish scales, reminding of the abundance of fish in the Kashubian lakes. Kashubian wreath,used as a supplemental decoration. The last motive, the lily, is the most complicated one, and its origin is not clear.

SOUTHERN REGION LACE FROM KONIAKOW MAKOW EMBROIDERY PAINTED EASTER EGGS

LACE FROM KONIAKOW

Laces have their origin in Koniakow. They are the most famous in the world. Local products were delivered e.g. to Queen of England, president Kennedy and to popes – John XXIII and John Paul II. Koniakow is the most famous Polish crochet lace centre, where lace traditions are cultivated since XIX century.

Makow Embroidery

Makow embroidery is ranked among the so-called white hand embroideries, which are created with application of white thread and white fabric. It’s the flat embroidery, usually on a white background – linien material. It includes linen elements as well as toledos.

PAINTED EASTER EGGS Scratch animations are usually created with the sharp object through scratching outside colored shell eggs. Kraszanki so – called painted figure, are created through boiling the egg in colored brew, in the past used only natural ingredients.

EASTERN REGION TAPESTRY KRYWULKA KURPIE DECORATIVE PAPER CUT-OUTS

TAPESTRY

Dual-warp weaver’s craft, which enables the manufacturing of double carpets, is one of the most original and interesting traditions in Polish folk art; this branch of handicraft preserved in Janowo – the one and only dual-warp weaver’s craft centre in Poland.

KRYWULKA

Krywulki is the name given to bead necklaces, which are made either on a tiny loom or with a needle, through meticulous and patient threading of 2 millimetre beads onto a strong piece of string.

This bead jewellery is a part of the history of the Carpathian and Bieszczady mountain range region.

KURPIE DECORATIVE PAPER CUT-OUTS

Paper cut-out is the most characteristic element of Polish folk art; Kurpie decorative paper cut-out is one-coloured; this kind of handicraft requires high precision and a vivid imagination – real pieces of art, such as pictures of the Holy Mary from Ostra Brama, are created from paper.

CENTRAL REGION LOWICZ DECORATIVE PAPER CUT-OUT LOWICZ EMBROIDERY

LOWICZ DECORATIVE PAPER CUT-OUT

Lowicz decorative paper cut-out is especially beautiful – it takes the form of multicoloured pictures, which employ five, seven and even ten colours.

LOWICZ EMBROIDERY

The characteristic Lowicz rose poses an element dominating in Lowicz embroidery – it is one of the universally known motifs associated with Polish folk.

WESTERN REGION Ceramics Boleslawiec Polish pottery from Boleslawiec is established in the German-speaking part of Europe under the name Bunzlauer Keramik or Original Bunzlauer Keramik.

The Boleslawiec pottery that is most recognizable today is the white or cream colored ceramic with dark blue, green, yellow, and sometimes red or purple motifs. The most common designs include dots, abstract florals, speckles, ’windmills’, and the favourite ’peacocks eye’.