![[Owczarski Picture]](Owczarski_01.JPG)
Owczarski, Marian (1932 - April 15, 2010)
Sculptor in Stainless Steel, artist-in-residence at The Orchard Lake Schools, Orchard Lake, MI
Photograph above shows Marcin Owczarski among his artworks at St. Mary's Galeria in Orchard Lake, MI (courtesy of Peter J. Obst)
MARIAN OWCZARSKI, article from MARCH 11, 2007
Josef Stalin, the Soviet nemesis of Marian Owczarski, was known as the 'man of steel'. In actuality, it's Owczarski, Orchard Lake St. Mary's artist-in residence, who should wear the title.
The sculptor, born in 1932 in Lukow, Poland, discovered metallurgy shortly after World War II, choosing stainless steel as his medium of choice because, "In 1945, steel represented the future. Plus, the melt temperature of stainless steel is nearly 5000 degrees. Stainless will be around after a nuclear holocaust."
A man of diverse talent, works in wood, glass, stone, plaster, marble as well as metals, but ultimately, however, his sculptures in steel appears to be the best representation of his vision, both touching and powerfully meaningful.
Much of that is the result of his background. Following a harrowing childhood (he grew up in one of the towns most targeted by Nazi, and was severely wounded at the age of twelve), Marian Owczarski received a graduate degree in sculpture from the Warsaw's Academy of Fine Arts in 1961, and for period of time was involved in restoration of Polish churches damaged during the war. He traveled to the United States and worked on a number of sculpting projects, generally religious in nature, but always returned to his native Poland. However, his twin passions, Catholicism and art, were at diametrical odds with the U.B. -- the Polish equivalent of the KGB. He began the long struggle to escape, finally securing a visa good for one month. He went to Canada to complete some art projects he'd begun earlier, and never went back.
Following an exhibition in Washington DC in 1970, Owczarski was approached simultaneously by Saint Mary's College and Princeton University to become an artist-in-residence. He now laughs, "I was just over from Poland, I'd never heard of Princeton! So I went with Orchard Lake, where they all spoke Polish"
He's been there ever since, living on campus, directing the Galleria, Orchard Lake's open-to-the-public art gallery, where many of his sculptures are on display.
His sculptures have been exhibited in eleven countries and over 50 cities, including Warsaw, Budapest, Prague, Frankfurt, Paris, London, Moscow and New York.
Source: St. Mary's College Galleria
3535 Indian Trail,
Orchard Lake, MI 4832
Obituary
Source: Delivered by Susan Mikulski Nash at the memorial Mass which was celebrated by Fr. Gregory Tokarski at St. Clare of Assisi, Farmington Hills, MI, on April 22, 2010.
Man of Steel with a Heart of Gold
We are here to remember and to pay tribute to a good man, a man of integrity and of unique artistic talent. Marian was widely admired and respected; many of us loved him dearly. I thought of him as the Polish cultural ambassador to the U.S. and as "Pan Polonia".
In an article describing Marian, Larry Hunt titled him, "Man of Steel with a Heart of Gold". Let's reflect on this description for a few minutes. Marian's traumatic experiences as a boy in WWII Poland inspired much of his work. He saw himself as a man of action hammering his protest in steel against the inhumanity of those times. His sculpture of Moses hurling the tablets of stone, his rabbi shielded against the darkness of phylacteries with faith told the story of the Warsaw ghetto in a shattering and unsettling way. Desiring to tell other stories of millions of nameless people who died in Poland alone, he sculpted in steel to make their voices heard: a face wreathed in flames, the haunting dignity in a peasant woman's face, and the crucifixion. For Marian the figure on the cross is the paradigm of undeserved human suffering. The ravaged human forms he employed are intentional. Marian stated, "People forget too soon." He would never forget since he was the only member of his family to survive the war.
While doing graduate work in Warsaw at the Academy of Fine Arts, Marian sought a more powerful medium than the traditional wood and stone used by Polish artists . He first reclaimed iron from abandoned Nazi tanks, forming iconic Polish images: the Eagle, the Man of Sorrows, the Madonna. When the iron rusted, Marian turned to stainless steel, perfecting sketches which would become his signature portraits in steel. He finely crafted Polish, American, and Canadian cultural, historical, and scientific figures which are now in museum, university, and private collections in eleven countries throughout Europe, the U.S., and Canada. These works were to suggest the positive aspects of humanity which will ultimately survive and overcome adversity, as did Marian himself.
After an exhibit in 1998 a fine testimonial was sent to Marian by artist and sculptor Wilma and Bob Bushewicz. "Dear Marian, Your sculpture exhibit "Pride of Poland" was a great success. We all realize how much hard work and dedication you put into the show. It was an honor for the public museum and for us Poles to have your excellent display in Grand Rapids." I was privileged to be present at this exhibit in my hometown.
Marian was also a master at restoring paintings, including more than 200 works now in the Galeria. An especially remarkable story is that of his restoration of a painting of the Altar of the Royal Castle of the Cathedral Church in Krakow. Initially it appeared to be of little value and almost beyond repair. Fr. Valery Jasinski presented the black burlap covered work to Marian who stated, "This painting was covered in two layers of asphalt paint. I used ten pounds of butter to wash it off. I was lucky because it has two layers of varnish." It was successfully restored, and this extremely valuable painting hangs in the Galeria today.
Now to the man with a heart of gold. We are told that the mark of a Christian is his love for humanity and a willingness to give. Marian was perhaps the most generous person I knew. He was always willing to help whether it be the visitors from out-of-town who wished to see the Galeria, or a young artist or student needing guidance for his work, or someone needing a car repair. His kindness was unlimited. This Renaissance Man with such knowledge of art, history, philosophy, and poetry was so willing to share with everyone. Marian was the ultimate gentleman, always polite, grateful, considerate, and interested in others. I never heard him utter a profane word. When I last visited him, when he was so ill, the Sunday before he died, his last words to me were, " Thank you for coming."
When asked "Jak sie masz?, he invariably said, "I try to be good". That seems to sum up his life. This humble man, though so esteemed, never sought the center-stage, was unpretentious, never played the prima donna.
Marian especially enjoyed children and awaited his role as St. Nicholas each December. Those who first visited him, now brought their children to see him. Sadly, he was prevented from this wonderful tradition in the last December of his life.
Marian encouraged local artists for many years, sponsoring and initiating both the Kubinski and Youth Art competitions. The last of these exhibits occurred on May 3, 2009. After the opening of an outstanding student exhibit of exceptional quality, the Galeria was padlocked without prior notice on May 4. It is closed to this day.
What of the legacy of Marian Owczarski? Certainly his work on display throughout three continents will tell his story of man overcoming adversity. The memorial to the Katyn Massacre at Orchard Lake was the focal point of the gathering there after the most recent Polish tragedy. Of his 37 year long collection of Polish art, Marian once said, "I think of the Galeria as part of the mosaic of American culture. It tells about the contribution of Poles to the past and present." He wished that its unique role in America continue well into the 21st century.
May there be a Renaissance, a resurrection, of the true Polish character, spirit, and tradition, a renewed appreciation of Polish culture at Orchard Lake St. Mary.
You were good, Marian.
Do widzenia, Dear Friend.
Requiescat In Pace.