Aleksander Jackowski facts for kids
Aleksander Jackowski (born January 19, 1920, in Warsaw – died January 1, 2017, in Warsaw) was an important Polish expert on culture, traditions, and art. He studied how people live and create art. He was known for his work on folk art, which is art made by ordinary people, and also on "naïve art" and "l’art brut," which are types of art made by self-taught artists.
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The Life of Aleksander Jackowski: A Journey Through Art and Culture
Aleksander Jackowski grew up in Warsaw, Poland, in a family that loved learning and ideas. His early life was full of challenges.
Early Life and Discoveries
In 1940, during World War II, he was sent from Lviv to a faraway place in Siberia. This was a difficult time, but it also changed his life. In Siberia, he met the Khanty people, who have a rich traditional culture. This was his first real experience with folk culture. He worked many different jobs there, like a lumberjack and a tractor driver.
One interesting story from his time in Siberia is when he hurt his ankle. A traditional healer, who was hiding in the woods, helped him get better. This showed him the power of traditional ways of healing.
Returning Home and Serving His Country
He returned to Poland in 1943 and joined the army. He fought in important battles, including those in Puławy and Warsaw. He became a major and helped lead the military in Warsaw by May 1945.
Education and Career in Culture
After the war, Aleksander Jackowski decided to study sociology, which is the study of how societies work. He also learned a lot about art history.
For a few years, he worked for the Polish government in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He helped manage information and press. Later, he became a top editor for a weekly magazine called “Odrodzenie,” which means "Renascence."
His true passion was folk art. From 1949, he became a leader at the Art Institute in the Polish Academy of Sciences. He was in charge of the Department of Folk and Naïve Art. He started a huge project to collect Polish traditional music and stories.
A Champion of Folk Art
From 1952 to 1998, for many years, he was the main editor of a special magazine called “Konteksty. Polska Sztuka Ludowa.” This magazine focused on Polish folk art. He led the Department of Folk and Naïve Art until 1984.
Aleksander Jackowski wrote more than 400 articles and books about folk art, modern art, and art made by self-taught artists. He worked closely with the University of Warsaw and was part of many important groups that studied culture and art in Poland. He also helped judge art competitions, encouraging new artists.
Published Works: Exploring Art and Culture
Aleksander Jackowski wrote many books and articles that helped people understand folk art and other unique art forms.
Books by Aleksander Jackowski
- Sztuka ludu polskiego (1965) – This book is about Polish folk art.
- Sztuka zwana naiwną (1995) – This explores art often called "naïve."
- Obrazy ludowe (1998) – This focuses on folk paintings.
- O rzeźbach i rzeźbiarzach (1997) – This is about sculptures and the artists who make them.
- Cepelia. Tradycja i współczesność (1999) – This looks at traditional Polish crafts and how they are used today.
- Pejzaż frasobliwy. Kapliczki i krzyże przydrożnePolska sztuka ludowa (2002) – This book is about roadside shrines and crosses in Poland.
- Świat Nikifora (2005) – This explores the world of Nikifor, a famous self-taught artist.
Articles by Aleksander Jackowski
He also wrote many articles for journals, sharing his ideas and research. Some of his articles discussed:
- How to study folk art (1954)
- Specific folk artists, like Ignacy Kamiński (1958)
- The future of folk art in Poland (1959)
- The difference between folk art and "kitsch" (mass-produced art) (1966)
- Modern folk sculpture and painting (1964, 1976, 1977)
- The idea of a "folk artist" (1980)
- The role of folk art in Polish culture (1981)
