Jan Brancewicz, a native of Cracow, Poland, studied art and art education at Teacher's College in Cracow. He immigrated to Canada in 1965. Since his arrival in Brandon, [MB] he has taught in the public school system. For the past eighteen years, he has also been a sessional lecturer of visual design at Brandon University. Brancewicz has exhibited his works extensively in Manitoba and Cracow, Poland. Jan Brancewicz's works reflect the influence of the Constructivist tradition which emerged in Europe during the early 20th century. Like his art predecessors, he construct's images using the formal elements of line, shape, color and spatial relationships, rather than image, are of critical and primary importance to Brancewicz. (Exhibition Catalogue 'Landscape Constructions'; AGSM, 1990)
Dimensions
121 X 151 cm
Size Overall
same as image
Medium
acrylic
Condition
Painting needs backing board to prevent damages to its surface. Light and fine pencil marks in top horizontal register. Paint transfer in TL corner.
John Grass 'Pizi' (1837-1918). John Grass, warrior and gifted orator was well known during reservation days as a progressive. Able to speak English and many dialects of Sioux, he was made head chief at the Standing Rock Agency, a position created by the white agent to rival the authority of Sitting Bull and unify the Agency Sioux. In later years he was credited for the success of the Commission of 1889: a session which, by the stroke of the pen, meant the end to the great Sioux Reservation. The stage has been set for the Ghost Dance uprising. Sitting Bull was killed, Wounded Knee took the lives of over 150 Sioux, and ironically John Grass helped negotiate a settlement for the survivors. (Harbaugh, P., 1982)
Dimensions
23 X 18.5 cm
Size Overall
51 X 41 cm
Medium
Black and white photograph
Condition
Severe bowing back of left vertical edge away from mat.