1968

Work from the series '43 Years of Settlement in Poland', which, in the words of the artist, Leszek Sobocki, tells 'about the fate of societies, about unnamed forces that moved human masses' (in: 'Leszek Sobocki. Moja Etyczna Europa', Kraków 1990). In the work '1968', the artist has metaphorically represented the force compelling people to emigrate in mass in March 1968. This force is depicted as a Manus Dei: the hand of God; in this case, however, it is the stern hand of the communist authorities, showing the way out of Poland to the crowded figures. The figures, facing the hand which resembles a gun at the same time, are lamenting, which brings to mind scenes of shooting. Only Moses, leaving 'the promised land', seems to depart in the indicated direction. In his hands, he holds stone decalogue tables with the inscription 'Pass', which reminds the one-way travel documents received by those leaving in March 1968..

JO