Alicja Lewicka-Szczegóła

O.L.A.H.
object, mixed technique, 2020

***

I first met Zenek in Zielona Góra in 1992. I was then finishing my studies in Poznań, where – by accident that turned out to be fortunate – I learnt that he animates the Instytut Wychowania Plastycznego [Institute of Artistic Education] at the WSP [Higher School of Education], which was still in the course of building its team. I arrived on Wiśniowa st. in the morning, not knowing that Zenek tended to begin work around eleven, so I had ample time to make acquaintance of all the limes, mulberries and poplars growing in the vicinity of the then still very humble seat of the Institute. As it turned out, in that same year, some more other young artists applied to the competition, a majority of which has co-formed the shape of the current Institute of Visual Arts to this day. Already employed, we met often and talked, almost always after classes finished: informally, but still about work and plans. Zenon knew nothing else. Here, starting with 1990s, I have lived through the most intense acquaintances, friendships, I have been shaped as an artists, educator and organiser. I am quite certain that without Zenek, the milieu he built, his awareness and sense of mission, things he could inspire with – I would not have been the same person. The Institute was the meaning and work of his life. It was, is and will remain important to me.

I recall difficult residential beginnings of the Institute, but, at the same time, a very powerful and creative atmosphere of shared activities, supported by a group of outstanding artists from all over Poland, whom Zenek was able to encourage to work in Zielona Góra. It seemed this would go on forever...

I do not own any of Zenek's work, only two pictures survived, a card from the last New Art Biennale with an enigmatic text and a borrowed cane, which I have not managed to give back.

Zielona Góra, 20 August 2020