Franciszek Kurzeja (1936-2011), "Saint Barbara."

bas-relief in charcoal, dimensions: 24 x 13 x 10.5 cm,
signed on the back with an engraved bound monogram: FK.
On the base a sticker with dedication: Happiness to God / to Andrew / wished by "Stara Strzecha (?) / Górnicza" / from kop. "Katowice" / (signatures illegible) / 7. 06. 19 (date illegible) K-ce.

Painter, graphic artist, sculptor, author of cut-outs. Graduated from a mining technical school and worked in the "Katowice" mine from the age of 16 until retirement. He came from an indigenous Silesian family, Kurzei's father was Korfanty's driver for a while, his mother cooperated as a cartoonist with "Polonia" magazine. Together with Jan Nowak and Jozef Rockstroh, they founded the art group "Gwarek 58" at the mine in 1956. He was a member of the Committee for the Affairs of the Murdered Miners of the "Wujek" Mine. The subject matter of his works refers to the history of Silesia, the artist devotes a lot of space to recent history, related to the rise of Solidarity and the fall of communism. He is inspired by Silesian traditions and customs.