Kora (1951-2018) ((Olga Sipowicz)), Madonna and Child, 1994

Provenance
Warsaw, private collection gift from the artist (1994)

Olga Sipowicz - Kora, leader of the cult group Maanam, whose hits everyone knows, was one of the most expressive and iconic figures on the Polish music scene. She realized her creative energy and sensitivity at the same time not only in the sphere of music. Known for not tolerating idleness, she found in decorating and handicrafts a way to use her vitality and creativity. The most interesting phenomenon in this regard became the artist's painted Madonnas. The idea was born during one of her trips to Mexico. In the 1990s, together with the band Maanam, Kora visited the island of Cozumel, known for its underwater statue of Our Lady of Guadeloupe. She was enthralled by the local richness of color that so distinctly distinguishes the Mexican cult of saints from the European tradition. Sentiments and at the same time painful memories from her childhood returned, especially the strong and difficult relationship with her mother. Thus began the artist's adventure with the Madonnas. She bought blank figurines from Caritas stores and even from local manufacturers in Czestochowa. She covered them with colors, dobbed them, beautified them. She often dedicated them to different cultures: Islamic, Hindu, Chinese. Some amaze with a fever of fancy colors, others are more simple. Always eloquent, they attract attention. Like this one, in yellow and blue tones, dedicated to Ukraine fighting for its sovereignty. It was sold at an online auction and all proceeds went to help those affected by the Maydan incidents. She constantly repainted and improved some of them. Each Madonna was given a name, which the singer's husband came up with. When she fell ill with malignant cancer in 2013, painting the statues of the Virgin Mary became an escape from the disease, a kind of therapy.
The Virgin Mary - an archetype of spirituality and motherhood, and Kora - an artist who is unapologetic and scheme-breaking. The figure of Madonna repeatedly returned in the singer's musical work, in her stage images and creations she more than once referred to her. Kora's relationship with Madonna was very personal and emotional. Years later, Kora will admit that there was a great longing for her mother in this relationship. So there is nothing profane in these performances, rather great sentiment and admiration for the richness of the colors. Despite the fact that Korah was spoken of as an atheist, religious aspects were important to her. She respected them very much and, as she herself said: "I don't flirt with the devil. Even in art I am not attracted to him. I am afraid of the devil" (quoted in Marek K., Olga Kora Sipowicz's Fun in Hiding as an Artistic Manifesto on the basis of biographical materials, press texts from 2010-2020 and own research, [in:] Lodz Theological Studies 34 [2025] 1, p. 86).