Janina Kraupe Swiderska, "Awakening," 1971

linocut, 25x18 cm, framed: 37.5x23.5 cm

Janina Kraupe-Świderska - (1921-2016), Polish contemporary painter, graduate of the Faculty of Painting and Graphics at the Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow. From 1942, for a year, she participated in the activities of the underground theater run by Tadeusz Kantor. Professionally, she was associated with her alma mater, where she became an associate professor in 1980 and a full professor seven years later. Associated with the Cracow Group, she was awarded the Award of the City of Cracow in the field of culture and art (1997), and received the Gold Medal "Meritorious to Culture Gloria Artis" (2008). She was an active member of the Polish Academy of Arts and Sciences. The strong influence of Far Eastern cultures and Zen philosophical principles is noticeable in her work. In addition to easel and wall painting, the artist was involved in printmaking, most of her works include surreal and abstract scenes with elements of astrology and magic.