Paper cutting with birds and plants by Regina Ksepka from Czarnylas Poland
Regina Ksepka is a valued folk artist with roots in the Kurpie Region of Poland where she learned the art of paper-cutting and embroidery and became enchanted with the natural world with its changing seasons, wild flowers and herbs. She brought up and educated six children while running with her husband Stanislaw Matuszewski successful farm. On her retirement she was able to extend her interest to woodcarving, painting and published her biography and a volume of poetry. She has received numerous awards not only in her native Kurpie but also from the Kociewie and Kaszuby Regions of Poland where she has lived since 1953. She is a truly remarkable and gifted person. Krystyna Szulecka 2010Polish paper-cuttings In 17th and 18th century in Polish towns paper-cuttings were used to impress stamps onto official documents. Peasant paper-cuttings of a purely decorative character developed in 19th century when coloured and shinny paper became available. Displayed on white washed walls and beams they created colourful and joyful decorations for even the most modest interior. In different parts of Poland, distinctive forms of paper-cuttings developed. Cutting into a paper folded once, creates uniaxial paper-cuttings in the form of a stylised lily (leluja) or a tree. Squares and diamonds are achieved by folding the paper twice. The round, circular, star and rosette shapes are produced by folding the paper three or more times. The some element mirrored once or several times, subordinated to one or more axis of symmetry, creates a rich, rhythmic Christmas and Easter spring-cleaning, the walls were whitewashed and new decorations replaced the old. Those which were too good to throw away were moved to stables and barns to make the life of the animals more joyful too. text Krystyna Majewska 27 February 1998
Size: 3375px × 5014px
Photo credit: © Krystyna Szulecka / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: art, bird, birds, craft, cultural, culture, cut, cutting, decoration, decorative, design, designs, folk, folklore, handicraft, krystyna, leaf, leaves, paper, paper-cut, paper-cutting, paper-cuttings, papercut, papercuting, pattern, plant, plants, poland, polish, simplified, stylization, stylized, symmetrical, symmetry, szulecka, tradition, traditional, wycinanka, wycinanki
