Barbara Falkowska (1931-2022) Sumak „Bitwa” - Tapiserie - 44 cm

Rare wool tapestry wall hanging work of the prominent textile artist, Barbara Falkowska (1931-2022) one of a generation of artists who advanced the status of Polish textile art internationally.

This large 135cm tapestry is called Sumak “Bitwa” and displays a vintage scene of knights on foot an horse.

Throughout her career, Falkowska has focused on producing complex handwoven textiles from homespun and vegetable-dyed wool, sisal and flax. Falkowska began exhibiting her textiles soon after finishing art college in the 1950s.

Her work is held by many collections internationally. She has exhibited at Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York and recently at Zachęta Contemporary Art Museum in Warsaw as well as having had solo exhibitions in London, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Halifax and throughout Poland. The Dock’s galleries will feature a retrospective of Falkowska’s works, which focus on phenomenon and flora and fauna of the natural world--all made at home in a high-rise apartment building in Warsaw, where she has lived for all of her adult life.

This exhibition coincides with the festival of Bealtaine, which celebrates the activities and accomplishments of older people. Last year, the very popular show ‘Emerging Artists’ at The Dock featured the work of another extraordinary Polish textile artist, Zofia Malanowska (age 93), who began an art career in her 70s. Malanowska credits Barbara Falkowska as one of her lifelong inspirations and mentors in the art of the handmade textile. The photo below shows the two artists at Malanowska’s home in Warsaw, where they are neighbours. Barbara Falkowska: Weaving the Sky is an exhibition for people interested in art, craft, textiles — anyone who is interested in making. It will also be an inspiration to people of all ages who have a creative spark but feel it’s ‘too late’ to follow it.