Władysław Murzyn

Precision deserves praise

Władysław Murzyn seeks out roots for his unique works himself, in a nearby forest. He digs around a tree with a spade, and when he hits an appropriate hard spot, he knows that this is the place to excavate just the right material. According to Mr. Murzyn, cutting roots does not harm the trees, and even strengthens them. This is also what his mother used to say. It is from her that he learned weaving. After extracting them from under the ground, the roots need to be debarked and twisted into rings. In thus prepared coils, they may be stored for five years or longer, as long as they are soaked before weaving them into a basket. Mr. Murzyn is one of the oldest artists in Zalesie, a village scattered in a huge area, with lone settlements. A trip to his house is a unique discovery of the Kurpie region, as it requires driving through fields and dirt roads, near the forest, by a whitewashed shrine. It’s best to use either good navigation, or simply ask locals for directions to the famous weaver. He says that those who arrive here are first dissatisfied with the breakneck trip, but once they have stayed for a while, get accustomed to the surroundings and see him work, are happy that they had overcome the difficulties. And there is plenty to admire. Mr. Murzyn has been dealing with weaving since he was a child. Once he used mainly the spiral technique, but he says that people prefer to buy his baskets made with a more durable technique. Therefore, nowadays he uses the cross-ribbed technique in his products. He started early in his life; when he was less than eight years old, he had already woven together with his mother. He recalls the old root baskets for potatoes and beets, which could last for up to thirty years. Also made were opałki, or large containers for storing grain. Nowadays, Mr. Murzyn weaves only decorative baskets (for święconka, the blessed Easter foods, or fruit or bread trays). As he himself admits, they are a joy to everyone, because they smell wonderfully of resin and people find them very beautiful. But he can no longer weave all day long, because it is too much a burden for his hands. After all, sometimes it takes a whole day to weave one basket.

He has not always lived in Zalesie. He had a job in a mine in Silesia, the repair shipyard in Gdynia, a fibreboard factory in Ruciane-Nida and ‘in the drainage business.’ Now he is a pensioner and also… something of a globetrotter. He really enjoys going to markets and fairs, like in the times when he travelled with his mother. They’ve been to Kadzidło, Ostrołęka, and once even as far as the Czech Republic. He and Mrs. Czesława Samsel, a neighbour artist, often arrange to visit together various competitions, fairs and markets, among others, in Ostrołęka, Kadzidło, or events such as Miodobranie Kurpiowskie.

For half a year, Władysław taught weaving in a school in Myszyniec, and teachers were very satisfied with these workshops. The students, however, said that they wouldn’t continue to learn, because it was simply a very hard work. Władysław’s children also advise him to quit the occupation, but the habit is too strong. He wants to weave as long as he is able. His works won him high prizes and awards in numerous regional competitions. His merchandise can be found in museums in Ostrołęka and Węgorzewo.