FRANCISZEK FRĄCZEK UNKNOWN on the 20th Anniversary of His Death

Franciszek Frączek lived from 1908 to 2006. He was born in Żołynia. After completing secondary school in Łańcut, he began studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków, but studied there for only one year. He continued his own path of learning at the „Twórcownia Szukalskiego”.

From 1930 he created and exhibited together with the „Rogate Serce” Scouting Troop, of which he was a member. As early as 1938 he represented the Rzeszów branch of the ZPAP (Association of Polish Artists) at the „Zachęta” in Warsaw. In the 1980s he co-founded the „Ziemia” group and also belonged to the creative group „San”. Both groups, bringing together artists from Rzeszów and the then Rzeszów region, drew in their work on their roots, rural origins and fascination with folk culture. He was a well-known cultural activist and initiator of many artistic undertakings: the Theatre Circle, Szopki (nativity puppet theatre), creator of travelling exhibitions, and finally a persistent participant in what Szukalski called the „twórcownia”. He organised many solo exhibitions, the more important being the 1982 exhibition at the „Zachęta” in Warsaw, on the occasion of which he received the Minister of Culture and Art Award, two exhibitions at the Regional Museum in Rzeszów and several at BWA Rzeszów. He also exhibited abroad, including in Lviv, Chicago and Paris. He gladly took part in painting plein-air events, including in Rakszawa, Julin and Kolbuszowa. In his work he repeatedly drew on Slavic legends and culture. Through his consistent conduct, his creative work and even his style of dress, he himself became a legend of our milieu. After the artist's death in 2006, his family organised several exhibitions of his paintings. Several studies of his life and work were published. Extensive documentation of his works and an analysis of his output were produced by the artist's grandson Błażej Burkacki (d. 2020) in his master's and postgraduate theses.

The year 2026 has been declared the Year of Franciszek Frączek in the Podkarpackie region, on the 20th anniversary of his death. On this occasion an exhibition of his work titled „Franciszek Frączek Nieznany” has been organised. At the BWA in Rzeszów we will be able to see dozens of paintings, watercolours and pastels, many of them never shown before. Restored and framed by the artist's daughter Jolanta Frączek, they will see the light of day for the first time in the lower, atmospheric exhibition hall of BWA Rzeszów.

---

Opening | 5.11.2026 | Thursday | 6:00 p.m. Duration of the exhibition | 5.11.2026 – 4.12.2026 Opening hours | Tuesday – Sunday | 10:00 – 18:00