Anna Tomaszewska – portfolio

Contact the artist

https://www.artweeks.org/p/anna-tomaszewska
07900 088170
annatomaszewska(at)hotmail(dot)com

Artist information

My work falls into the category of Fibre Art. I was trained in the art of weaving in Poland and Sweden. In addition to fibre art I have worked with restoration and conservation of textiles, tapestries, rugs and carpets. As an art historian I have been employed by museums, auction houses, galleries and private clients.

I have been connected to England since my childhood. Before moving to Oxfordshire, I was based in London and Epsom (Surrey).

I work with natural and synthetic fibres, as well as other components, without restriction and allow the imagination to flow freely to achieve the required goal of designing the desired expression and theme. What combines all my works is their organic essence and symbolism. I often dye and spin my own yarns to obtain the needed requirement of the fibre I work with.

The subjects are based on my personal feelings, thoughts, experiences and observations. It is something that everybody can relate to in their own way.

My works have been exhibited in Sweden, Poland and England. Last year I exhibited at the Oxfordshire Art Weeks Group Exhibition at Wallingford Town Hall and at the Oxford Art Society, Open Art Exhibition 2024, The Kendrew Barn Gallery, St John’s College, Oxford.

Exhibition information

The theme of my exhibition at Braziers Park was dedicated to The Female. I divided my work into the following subjects:

Innocence, Insanity, Survival, Roots and The Nymph.

These subjects are universal. However, as a woman, I approach them from the female perspective. Specifically, the challenges that girls and women have faced throughout centuries and how it has affected them.

We come to this world full of innocence, unaware of the dangers, brutality and exploitation that life circumstances out of our control might subject us to. We have dreams, plans and ideas about how we want our life to turn out. These get shattered by the trauma we are forced to experience: incest, child marriage, domestic violence, sexual abuse, exploitation, coercive abuse, harassment, gender discrimination, rape as a weapon of war and more.

The trauma we are imposed to live with can drive us into a state of insanity. The pain becomes so overpowering that we drown in it. It takes over our existence. Some of us live with the trauma in silence, keeping it a secret from the outside world. We survive in the state of insanity. No matter how tough the circumstances, we survive.

Some of us survive thanks to natural survival skills, resurface either on our own or with the support of family and friends, or help from a mental health therapist. The survival instinct and the will to live a meaningful life is stronger and helps us to overcome the trauma and focus on rebuilding our life. Slowly, we begin to heal and start rebuilding new healthy roots of existence.

The Nymph reflects the vision of the modern woman. Her dress is feminine and light, although like an armour. It expresses both vulnerability and strength.

Thanks to the “Me Too” movement women’s voices are being heard. They are now, like never before, collectively empowered to raise awareness; provide and receive protection and support.