Indifference, Mary Borkowski at the American Folk Art Museum
LOCATION: Dayton Art Institute; American Folk Art Museum; Smithsonian American Art Museum; private collections
FOCUS: Wide range of topics, including injustice toward animals and personal experiences/stories
SIZE: Varies by site.
PRIVATE/PUBLIC: Public, though check ahead to see if they are on view.
DESCRIPTION: Though her work is not in a singular collection, her works can be seen on various museum websites. Her later work is visually arresting, where she uses stark, contrasting colors, some with figures in protective or precarious postures. Mary is quoted in the catalogue of the exhibit Six Naives: Ashby, Borkowski, Fassanella, Nathaniel, Palladino, in the Tolson exhibition catalog, 1973, Akron Art Museum Archives: "The might look like dream pictures, but nobody could dream enough for seventy pictures. It is true many are based on the way I feel about certain events or people or attitudes and in that extent are "fantasy" but I didn't dream up the basic emotions."
CONTACT: Pending; can view her work at the museum links listed above.
OTHER INFORMATION: Mary Borkowski died in 2008 at the age of 91. According to her obituary, "She was born March 28, 1916 in Sulphur Lick Springs, OH, the daughter of Joseph & Rena (Hennes) Porter. Mary was a legendary American Folk Artist whose work is displayed at the Smithsonian and other prestigious museums across the country. She had a great love for all animals."
FOCUS: Wide range of topics, including injustice toward animals and personal experiences/stories
SIZE: Varies by site.
PRIVATE/PUBLIC: Public, though check ahead to see if they are on view.
DESCRIPTION: Though her work is not in a singular collection, her works can be seen on various museum websites. Her later work is visually arresting, where she uses stark, contrasting colors, some with figures in protective or precarious postures. Mary is quoted in the catalogue of the exhibit Six Naives: Ashby, Borkowski, Fassanella, Nathaniel, Palladino, in the Tolson exhibition catalog, 1973, Akron Art Museum Archives: "The might look like dream pictures, but nobody could dream enough for seventy pictures. It is true many are based on the way I feel about certain events or people or attitudes and in that extent are "fantasy" but I didn't dream up the basic emotions."
CONTACT: Pending; can view her work at the museum links listed above.
OTHER INFORMATION: Mary Borkowski died in 2008 at the age of 91. According to her obituary, "She was born March 28, 1916 in Sulphur Lick Springs, OH, the daughter of Joseph & Rena (Hennes) Porter. Mary was a legendary American Folk Artist whose work is displayed at the Smithsonian and other prestigious museums across the country. She had a great love for all animals."
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