Ethnoillustrations. Between worlds. The magic of spring rituals.

About the series:

Ethnoillustrations is a collection of fairy tale scenes that will delight intergenerational audiences. The project takes a unique approach to themes related to native traditions. The works combine graphic motifs, inspired by folk designs, with humorous talkies, animating the depicted scenes. These amusing anecdotes bring to mind communal news, characteristic of almost every small community. Thanks to Ethnoillustrations, viewers have a chance to rediscover the semi-fantastic world of events, objects and characters that inspire us to look to the past – so that we can rediscover the present – common places, values and stories. The fairy tale scenes, while alluding to ancient rituals and customs, are still relevant today. They refer to ethnographic sources, objects and stories of people who still cultivate their traditions or are strongly connected with them.

Time vehicles

The exhibition Ethnoillustrations – between worlds was created in cooperation with the ethnographic department of the Regional Museum in Stalowa Wola. This time fairy tale scenes by Monika Michaluk and Michal Stachowiak became just a starting point for presenting silhouettes of real heroes. They are local craftsmen and folk artists. It is their works that will take us on a journey to nature – a true treasury of inspiration, patterns and materials. Here, magic intertwines with the holiday season and everyday life. The objects presented at the exhibition have a special meaning. They are a link between worlds – the ancient one, which is our common heritage, and the modern one, in which the youngest generation is already growing up. Visitors will be able to learn about the profiles of such Podkarpackie artists as Jan Puk (sculptor, toymaker), Maria Kozlova (folk artist, poet), Anna Rzeszut (embroiderer, cultural activist) and Henryk Kurzyna (potter).
If there is rye, there will be everything

Ethnoillustrations – between worlds is an exhibition dedicated especially to children. The combination of the world of fairy tales and living objects is an extraordinary educational experience. In addition to handicraft creations, the important exhibits here will be natural raw materials, which were used by the creators to make useful objects. We will learn about their significance and properties. These include wood, wicker, willow branches, clay or grain, which is the main element of the exhibition. Since the dawn of history, the phases of its growth have been inextricably linked to the agrarian cycle, which determined the lifestyle of ancient rural communities. Thanks to the resources of the Regional Museum in Stalowa Wola, viewers will be able to get acquainted with various aspects related to spring, local rituals and customs.
Ethnoillustrations – between worlds. The magic of spring rituals
Main organizer: Regional Museum in Stalowa Wola
Curator, co-creator: Monika Michaluk
Supervision, production: Elżbieta Skromak, Beata Trybuła
Creators: Jan Puk, Michał Stachowiak, Bronisław Gap, Anna Rzeszut, Maria Kozłowa, Henryk Kurzyna
Exhibition arrangement: Agata Pinkosz
Media patrons: