Translating Marek

Marek Zulawski: artist, journalist, my father

1980

“40 years wiser, 40 years stupider”: Marek on getting old, 1980

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 Today’s excerpt follows on from last week’s in which Marek nearly died on the Baltic Sea. Recalling that episode leads him to mull over just how much life he really does have left after all these years.

The second volume of Study for a Self-Portrait is dedicated to my mother, but it’s only in the more intimate sections where he addresses her as directly as this. They had gotten married earlier that year and were together until death did them part in 1985.

Back then, I was how old?

20.

In other words, half a century ago. More even.

Today, fear has come back to me again and I don’t know how to deal with it.… Keep reading

Jesus in St John’s Wood, 1980

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‘The Baptism of Jesus Christ’ is a massive painting by Marek in Our Lady’s Church on Lisson Grove in St John’s Wood. This memoir entry from 1980 is about my dad’s initial talks with Father McGowan to get the project going. The painting was completed in 1982, just three years before his death, and it’s still there today. Although my dad wasn’t around for most of my upbringing, Our Lady’s Church was a regular feature – I always looked up at that painting and thought of him whenever I had to attend. – AZ

I’m waiting to hear the decision on an important matter for me, very important indeed.… Keep reading