Aleksandra Oślicka

Aleksandra Oślicka – virtuoso of the Kurpie cut-out

Members of Aleksandra Oślicka family all have probably had a gene for creativity. Her grandmother, mother and sisters made decorations. The Konopka family she descends from is well-known in the Kurpie region. The Konopka family created for themselves and for others and traditions were always a priority for them.

Aleksandra likes recollecting the old times, in particular, the moments when she decorated a house for Christmas together with her family. It was all accompanied by joy they had from decorations they had prepared before. Her late husband asked her many times to make something, so “it would be merrier”. He praised and appreciated her, therefore, these are the tenderest recollections for Aleksandra.

Until now she has decorated her house with hand-crafted decorations. There are beautiful kierce (decoration made with peas and beans, it resembles a chandelier) with colourful flowers hanging in the kitchen, elaborate cut-outs in a room – it is all traditional, so as it should be, according to Aleksandra. It is an absolute rarity, caused by the great need of creation and being surrounded by tangible evidence of her own identity.

Aleksandra’s hands are very skilful; she cuts precisely, quickly and nicely. One can be enraptured to see her delicate and nimble movements and how she uses shears (used to shearing of sheep!) to cut out paper. Such skill is a great gift and talent, the author of which remains a humble, tranquil, friendly, as well as hospitable and welcoming in line with the Kurpie custom. Due to Aleksandra’s works high artistic and technical level, one can see them in many museums. Likewise majority of artists from Kadzidło area, she cooperated with the “Kurpianka” Folk and Artistic Handicraft Cooperative. She is a co-organiser of a Kurpie Room in Kadzidło where together with the famous Czesława Konopkówna, they made a complete art decoration according to their own concept and design.

Polish and German magazines wrote about this remarkable folk artist. She was on the cover of a well-known Hungarian magazine. She represented Polish folk art in Hungary, Belgium, the Netherlands, United Kingdom and five times in Germany. She takes part in exhibitions, folk art trade fairs and county fairs. For her merits in promoting folk culture she was awarded a Diploma during the 22nd Nationwide Festival of Folk Bands and Singers in Kazimierz Dolny. She holds a Special Award of Merit to Folk Culture granted by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage (Ministerstwo Kultury i Dziedzictwa Narodowego), a “Pro Masovia” Medal of the Marshal of Mazowieckie Voivodeship and Medal of Merit to Polish Culture. She is willing to share her skills and passions; she runs workshops in schools and culture centres. She participates in contests, winning main awards. He is a member of the Association of Folk Artists (Stowarzyszenie Twórców Ludowych).