Alex Szolomiak who came to Tasmania in 1948 with the second contingent of Polish Ex Servicemen spent his 2 year contract with the HEC (Hydo Electric Commission) Tasmania at Waddamana. Alex painted Princess Elizabeth and King George ll and it's these two painting of his that hang in the Waddamana Power Station Museum.
Alex Szolomiak went on to teach Painting and Sculpturing at the Brooks High School here in Launceston. There are a few of his Sculptures in the grounds of the High School so I have been told.
Below is the Portrait of the Queen Elizabeth ll of England.
Found this photo from the local newspaper of 1952.
Waddamana is near the Great Lake but a little further south.
Amazing how young she looked back then
ReplyDeleteWe forget how she looked in her early days.
DeleteMargaret I have heard of him but the pictures are nice
ReplyDeleteThey are lovely.
DeleteWhat a talented artist!
ReplyDeleteTrue Sandra.
DeleteA very talented and gifted artist!
ReplyDeleteHe was Linda.
DeleteThis was a real pleasure. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome.
DeleteIt shows a great talent in his work.
ReplyDeleteKisses
It does.
DeleteQuite a few Poles have distinguished themselves in Australian
ReplyDeletearts, discovery, mountain climbing especially etc. over the decades.
I believe you will find many Polish names in the lists of immigrants
who worked on the Snowy Mountains Scheme after WW2.
Good report.
Colin ( but I am a Republic member!)
True Colin, and many names of Polish men along with Italians and Greeks who built our Hydro Scheme here in Tasmania.
DeleteSUCH a talented man.
ReplyDeleteHe was indeed.
DeleteOh to be able to paint - wish I could!
ReplyDeleteThese look very good paintings.
All the best Jan
They do look lovely paintings. The ones at the Wadammana Power Station really took my eye even though I had seen them before.
DeleteI wonder if the high school students appreciate that little piece of history on campus.
ReplyDeleteI doubt it, and most of them wouldn't know Alex had painted the Queen either.
DeleteAs a child, I used to wish I could paint. As an adult I found I enjoyed painting furniture. In colours that most people wouldn't put together.
ReplyDeleteAs long as the colours suit you, that's all that counts.
DeleteAnd a fine looking fellow he was too.
ReplyDeleteHe looks rather handsome.
DeleteA very talented and gifted painter!
ReplyDeleteHe was, and we were lucky to have him here in Launceston.
DeleteNice visit Margaret.
ReplyDeleteYou can buy that town now.
Deleteinteresting
ReplyDeleteSomething different for me to show.
DeleteShe looks wistful, he looks determined! And both so young.
ReplyDeleteTrue.
DeleteBeautiful paintings!
ReplyDeleteTalented man.
DeleteShe was actually quite attractive in her younger days--- The painting of her father seemed a bit more accurate, but I loved seeing them both. Thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteAlex did do much better with Princess Elizabeth's father likeness in the first photo.
DeleteHe, Alex did ok with the newspaper photo.
You are welcome.
PS.... Coldwater Peak doesn't have snow year-round. Thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteOk, thanks for that.
DeleteI like those portraits he had some talent
ReplyDeleteHe did Jo-Anne.
DeleteJust stopped by to say hey. Have a great one.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sandra. You too.
Deletebeautiful paintings ,she was really an attractive lady ,thank you dear Margaret for such wonderful sharing
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome :)
Delete