Tokarnia, ethnographic park, Poland
In 1991, an exhibition of Jan Bernasiewicz’s sculptures was arranged in the homestead, entitled: „Save from oblivion. Jan Bernasiewicz, creator of the Sculpture Garden”. There are over 600 sculptures, numerous photographs depicting master Jan, as well as memorabilia that remained after him.
Jan Bernasiewicz was born on June 1, 1908, died on November 24, 1984. He lived and worked in the village of Jaworznia-Gniewce in today’s commune of Piekoszów, 15 kilometers from Kielce. Until 1975, together with his wife Maria, they cultivated half a hectare of land. His idea of preserving the cultural heritage for future generations found expression in the museum of sculptures in the orchard, invented by the artist, which he called the “Small Museum in Jaworznia”. He created them for 19 years (1966-1984).
The most interesting works by Jan Bernasiewicz include: „Chestnut shrine” „Monument to the fallen Polish Soldiers in the fight of 1939-45”, „Copernicus”, „Herody”, „Hussar”, „Mikołaj Rej”.
The artist created mainly in wood, less often in stone. He chiseled the carved faces with individual features, usually leaving the lower part of the log unprocessed, with its curves and knots. In 1979, he was admitted to the Association of Folk Artists, he also received the prestigious artistic award of Jan Pock, and in 1980 the prize of the monthly „Przemiany”. Shortly before his death, the artist donated all his achievements to the Museum of the Kielce Countryside.
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