Wednesday 4 May 2016

Alex Szolomiak, Painter


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.


44 comments:

  1. Amazing how young she looked back then

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  2. Margaret I have heard of him but the pictures are nice

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  3. This was a real pleasure. Thank you.

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  4. Quite a few Poles have distinguished themselves in Australian
    arts, 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!)

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    1. True Colin, and many names of Polish men along with Italians and Greeks who built our Hydro Scheme here in Tasmania.

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  5. Oh to be able to paint - wish I could!
    These look very good paintings.

    All the best Jan

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    1. They do look lovely paintings. The ones at the Wadammana Power Station really took my eye even though I had seen them before.

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  6. I wonder if the high school students appreciate that little piece of history on campus.

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    1. I doubt it, and most of them wouldn't know Alex had painted the Queen either.

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  7. As 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.

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    1. As long as the colours suit you, that's all that counts.

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  8. And a fine looking fellow he was too.

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  9. Replies
    1. He was, and we were lucky to have him here in Launceston.

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  10. She looks wistful, he looks determined! And both so young.

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  11. She 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.

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    1. Alex did do much better with Princess Elizabeth's father likeness in the first photo.
      He, Alex did ok with the newspaper photo.
      You are welcome.

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  12. PS.... Coldwater Peak doesn't have snow year-round. Thanks for stopping by.

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  13. Just stopped by to say hey. Have a great one.

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  14. beautiful paintings ,she was really an attractive lady ,thank you dear Margaret for such wonderful sharing

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