1 March 2023 – 15 February 2024
The aim of the project is to develop and present the rich and outstanding creative output of Józef Hecht (1891, Łódź - 1951, Paris) to a Polish audience. A painter, a sculptor, but above all a printmaker, he taught at Atelier 17 – a studio from which artists such as Picasso, Miro, Giacometti, Ernst, Kandinsky and many other major modernist artists created. The project will include an exhibition, catalogue and educational activities for children and adults, including those with special needs.
The effects of the project will be:
1. Exhibition of paintings, sculptures, and prints by Józef Hecht “Forgotten Master. Józef Hecht”
The first monographic exhibition of this artist in Poland. It will make it possible to become widely acquainted with the work of this master of masters, thus pursuing the goal of disseminating knowledge of Polish culture and art. Live and online guided tours of the exhibition and detailed photographic documentation will be prepared and made available online, allowing access to cultural participation possible for people outside Warsaw and the surrounding area.
2. The catalogue “Józef Hecht”
The publication is the first monographic study of Józef Hecht's work published in Poland. It contains extensive texts by art historians on all disciplines practised by the artist, from printmaking through painting to sculpture, as well as his teaching activities. The articles point to the artist's significant place in world art, his circle of inspiration and his influence on subsequent generations of artists, and include an updated calendar of the artist's life and work, thanks to the foundation's research. The authors of the texts are Katarzyna Kulpińska, Aneta Pawłowska, Irmina Gadowska, Łukasz Żuchowski and Christina Weyl.
3. A promotional meeting for the catalogue
A discussion between the authors of the texts, which will take place online, allowing a larger audience to participate. The meeting will be recorded and made available on the foundation's website.
4. Educational workshop for seniors
Guided tour of the exhibition with discussion and art activities. The goal will be to activate this audience group. Organised in cooperation with the Arts Warehouse of the Ochota Cultural Centre.
5. An educational booklet for children entitled “Józef Hecht – animal lover, artist, emigrant”
In which they will not only trace the artist's journey across Europe but also learn about artistic techniques and delve into the world created by the artist through tasks specially prepared for them. Publication prepared in collaboration with the Polonica Institute.
Honorary patronage: Muzeum POLIN
Partner Fundacja PZU.
Project partners:
Narodowy Instytut Polskiego Dziedzictwa Kulturowego za Granicą „Polonika”, Wejman Gallery, Muzeum Miasta Łodzi, Uniwersytet Łódzki, Łódzkie Towarzystwo Naukowe, Musée du Dessin et de l'Estampe Originale w Gravelines, Dolan/Maxwell Gallery, Polski Instytut Studiów nad Sztuką Świata.
Media patronage: TokFM, Damosfera, ArtPost, Linia Prosta, DesignDoc, Rynek i Sztuka.
