ART & EXHIBITIONS
For many years the walls of Ognisko Polskie were adorned with engravings, etchings and illustrations of Polish historical subjects and landscapes, as well as a collection of old maps of Poland, hunted out in antique shops and at auctions.
Today in the Restaurant, portraits of the Generals observe the activities of Members in the bar, while war-time cartoons hanging on the walls remind us of Ognisko’s early history.
In the entrance and the members areas hang many portraits painted by Barbara Kaczmarowska-Hamilton. These include members of the Royal Family, as well as other well-known personalities associated with Ognisko Polskie.
The ballroom on the first floor has often been used as an exhibition area. Its high ceilings and its light open space lend themselves to a wide variety of displays. When the Club officially reopened after its extensive refurbishment in 2013, the space was used for an exhibition of modern art and design by young Polish artists, symbolising the vibrant, enthusiastic and forward thinking new outlook of Ognisko Polskie.
ART
Pastels on canvas 1989
RYCZARD KACZOROWSKI
BARBARA KACZMAROWSKA HAMILTON
Ryszard Kaczorowski, 26th November 1919 – 10th April 2010 was a Polish statesman. He was a frequent visitor to Ognisko Polskie.
Between 1989 and 1990 he served as the last President of Poland-in-Exile. He succeeded Kazimierz Sabbat and resigned his post following Poland’s regaining independence from the Sovie Sphere of influence and election of Lech Wałesa as the first democratically elected President of Poland since World War II. He also passed the presidential insignia to Wałesa, thus ending the 45 year long episode of the Polish Government-in-Exile.
He died on 10th April 2010 in a plane crash near Smolensk, Russia, along with the President of Poland Lech Kaczynski and 94 others.
EXHIBITIONS
The ballroom on the first floor has often been used as an exhibition area. Its high ceilings and its light open space lend themselves to a wide variety of displays. When the Club officially reopened after its extensive refurbishment in 2013, the space was used for an exhibition of modern art and design by young Polish artists, symbolising the vibrant, enthusiastic and forward thinking new outlook of Ognisko Polskie.
In 2015, Ognisko Polskie - the Polish Hearth celebrated 75 years since its official inauguration. Along with four days of celebrations to mark the event, there was an exhibition about the Club’s history that was officially opened by our patron, His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent.
1970 - Dr. Wanda Piłsudzka opening an exhibition
1970 - An exhibition of stamps held in the Ballroom
2015 - The 75th Anniversary Exhibition