June 17, 2008

Garden of Polish Folk Artist - Józef Chełmowski

I would like to share with you great garden - don't think that this is folk art museum. This is house and garden of Polish folk artist Józef Chełmowski. Folk artists can make garden unique.
I knew that I go to one of the deepest forests in Europe. What I didn't know, that there is such unusual place like house and garden of Jozef Chelmowski. I have learned about him while being there. The house is situated on the border of Brusy, the south of Kashubian region in Brusy Jaglie.
In this place time has stopped and it is possible to feel almost phisically THE CONTINUITY. Everything is mixed, but has its own and the only right place. Starting from 1934 until today.
Owner of the garden is often called folk artist, but this notion is not enough. His art is rich and deep, but form ultra-simple..... So, give me your hand and let me show you this unique place.


... this was barn before (I guess). Today it is an atelier and a place where many many many paintings, sculptures, old Kashubian things and old books are stored... Do you see that big angel on the right side of the door? or planes on the roof?
Everywhere there is something to catch the eye.............




After getting inside of the house, you would be surprised - probably, as I was - with the amazing amount of paintings and sculptures. To utilize the place better paintings are even hanging on the ceiling. Jozef Chelmowski art is filled with philosophy, religion and awareness of existence. Unfortunately I have not found a website about him in English, where I could direct you for more info, so I will make a longer post about him in my other blog about interesting places in Poland http://awesomecountry.blogspot.com/

One of the characteristics of his works and creativity, is placing maxims or sentences on them. They comment or complement the picture.

This angel on the right is "God's computer" that counts our 'good deeds - 28' and 'bad deeds - 32'
Entrance to the backgarden - sculptures are everywhere.... you open the sweet gate.....
.... while passing on the letf a set of 'guardians'......
.... and you see the garden, that belongs to its true inhabitants: beehives......


... some of them seem to hide in ivy...
... the rest seem to watch you... I felt like ghosts belonging to Nature watch the visitors....


We came to an end of the excursion. It seem like Chelmowski seems to ask question: why does God, the most perfect creature, need such an imperfect man?
Thank you for visiting, patiently reading and bless you!
Ewa

9 comments:

Kylee Baumle said...

What an unusual place, Ewa! Thanks for sharing your experience there!

Anonymous said...

What a creaative man!

Ewa said...

Kylee,
Place and the man are very unusual indeed :)

zvrk,
creativity is his life. he breaths it and sleeps it.
his life is only about creation :)

Barbara said...

That was a very interesting post indeed Ewa! I like people who are not so "common", full of fantasy and creativity. I would have needed a day to discover all the hidden things, sculptures and paintings. It was a very special tour you made with us. Thank you!

Claude said...

what an interesting post... Thank you for sharing it, as it's highly unlikely that I'll ever be able to see it myself.

Claude - Texas

Lisa at Greenbow said...

What an unusual garden. I will have to show this to my Dearly Beloved. He thinks I have too many 'focal points' in our garden. Our garden is sparsely decorated compared to this. I bet this artist is an entertaining person too.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful and unusual garden! Thank you for sharing

teresa g. said...

Wonderful place! And it is nice to know you other blog too!

Barbara Wells Sarudy said...

What great photos, an amazing environment. Thank you so much for posting this story.

KEEP READING - MORE GREAT STUFF IN OLDER POSTS