Jerzy Panek (1918-2001), Children of Gdansk, 1971/92

Etching, dimensions: 30.5 x 54 cm, Edition: III/III
Signed in pencil: at the bottom of the composition

Jerzy Panek was born in 1918 in Tarnów, died in 2001 in Cracow. He studied at the Graphics Department of the State Institute of Fine Arts in Cracow, which was renamed Staatliche Kunstgewerbeschule Krakau during the war. After the war, he studied at the Institute of Fine Arts in Cracow and then at the Academy of Fine Arts under Eibisch and Pronaszko. He was involved in painting and printmaking, mainly woodcuts. his graphic work was influenced by a trip to China. In 1967/1968 he was a lecturer at the Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow. He ended his academic career when, entering a room full of "party people" during an ASP ball, he shouted "forehead confidants!". Many years later he became its honorary professor. He was a member of the International Association of Wood Engravers XYLON and the Association of Polish Artists. His work was awarded prizes: a gold medal at the Triennale of Contemporary World Art in New Delhi, the Prize of the Minister of Culture and Art the Jan Cybis Award and many others. For his lifetime of creative work, he received the Award of the City of Cracow and the Award of the Governor of Cracow in 1998. Shortly before his death, a documentary film was made about him, Jerzy Panek. What Matters Most, which was produced by Elżbieta Dzikowska. An extremely colorful figure in Polish art history, , a womanizer, a drunkard, an abnegate, an artist with an almost childlike sensitivity, a great master of woodcuts.