Jerzy marek biography of michaels

Jerzy Marek, “Spots”, Date Unknown, Oil on Canvas

Jerzy Marek was born in Poland in 1925 and showed early promise in both art and woodcarving.

Jerzy marek biography of michaels

But the outbreak of World War II in 1939, when he was only fourteen, put a complete hold on his artistic career for many years. He ended the War with the British Army in Italy and finally settled in the United Kingdom in 1948.

For the next many years, Jerzy pursued a successful career as a civil engineer and bridge designer.

He started painting in oils in 1970 and initially spent much of his leisure time encouraging other artists locally in the Preston area where he eventually found himself.

This group became known as the “Marek Circle” and even included his mother-in-law Margaret Baird who subsequently became a successful primitive artist in her own right. After taking early retirement in 1983, Marek began to concentrate on his painting.

His early work featured sporting themes; but these soon gave way to