Kitchen Conversations about Franciszka Themerson

# 54  - about an exhibition, Franciszka Themerson: Walking Backwards in Tate Britain. 

In conversations with:

Dr Hilary Floe, Senior Curator, Modern and Contemporary British Art, Tate Britain

Saskia Flower, Assistant Curator, Modern and Contemporary British Art, Tate Britain

Weronika Gertig - Burgess, Themerson Estate London

Franciszka Themerson (1907-1988) was a Polish, later British, painter, illustrator, filmmaker and set designer. Together with her husband Stefan Themerson, she was one of the most important experimental filmmakers in interwar Poland. Her film work, as well as her paintings and drawings, challenged social conformity and revealed her belief in individual freedom. During and after the Second World War, Francziszka Themerson created humorous works that dealt profoundly with the complex themes of trauma and loss. 

The one-room display at Tate Britain is free and open to all till the 30th of March 2025. 

References:

The Themerson Archive Catalogue

Unposted Letters publication

The Barbican exhibition

Jasia Reichardt curator

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This episode was created for Contemporary LYNX and with support of Polish Cultural Institute London

Podcast thumbnail:

Copyrights Themerson Estate  

Franciszka Themerson (1907 – 1988)

Comme la vie est lente et comme l'espérance est violente

Painted in 1959 

Oil paint on canvas

101.5 x 151 cm

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Recording & editing: Patrycja Rozwora,

get in touch: www.patrycjarozwora.com

Mix & master: Jonas Kröper