Stories of the sea

Painted by Andrzej Flach

We are honoured to introduce Mr Andrzej Flach, a talented artist specialising in marine painting, a member of the Foundation of Disabled People’s Art, living in Krakow for 69 years. While working together on the 2021 calendar project, we took the opportunity to ask him a few questions and he agreed to tell us a bit about himself and his passion.

Let’s start from the beginning. You were born in Gdańsk and moved to Krakow with your parents when you were 5 years old.

Yes, that’s true. I was born in GdańskWrzeszcz, a year after the turmoil of World War II subsided, in the 17th century palace situated in Wajdeloty Street. The palace had been once owned by Schulz, the richest merchant in Gdańsk and a co-founder of the Danziger Aktien Bierbrauerei company comprising, among others, a brewery, a windmill and a manufacturing plant where anchors and chains were made. After the war, my father was a freight forwarding manager at Gdańsk Brewery. In addition to working at DAB, he also ran his own forwarding company. Unfortunately, there was no place for private business in the post- -war political system. The unfavourable political climate made our family move as far as Krakow in 1951. You were five when you left Gdańsk. Have you any memories of the city?

What I remember from my childhood are frequent trips to Sopot. I spent a lot of time with my nanny there, playing on the beach and the pier. I think it was then that the sea, breeze and sand became inherent elements of my natural environment.

Your memories and seaside roots did not let you leave the sea and water…

I loved water and I couldn’t imagine living without it. I was a lifeguard, a member of the sailing team. I spent all holidays either at the Masurian Lakes or at the seaside or on cruises. Cruises were the best part of my youthful life.

Indeed, you had an eventful sailing career.

It began at the Polish Yacht Club in Krakow and my first important cruise was aboard Zawisza Czarny with commander Bolesław Romanowski. We sailed to Stockholm, Copenhagen, Helsinki and Leningrad. In 1962, I was among 12 persons chosen from all sailing schools in Poland to take part in the navy training cruise aboard Iskra schooner. It was during that cruise that I experienced the only “real” storm at the Botnicka Bay (I’ve wanted to paint such storm ever since, but I haven’t succeeded yet). While on the sailing instructor course, I sailed on board of jolly boats along the whole Polish coast: from the Hel Peninsula to the Szczecin Lagoon. I wanted to live from sailing but obviously it wasn’t my fate, although I passed the entrance exam to the maritime academy. I had an uncle who lived in the UK, not an added value at that time… With passing years and the changing family situation, my sailing adventure came to an end but memories have stayed with me. You can say that my sailing adventure is

still on-going, in my memories and paintings.

So, let’s talk about painting now. How did it all begin? You don’t have education in this field.

When I passed my fifties I failed in health. I was on a disability pension first and then retired early. I had always been active and suddenly discovered I had nothing to do. My painting adventure started thanks to my disabled neighbour who attended painting workshops as part of the rehabilitation. I used to give her a ride and usually waited for her in the car. One day her painting teacher came up to me, gave me a pencil and told me not to sit idle. That’s how it began. Afterwards, as a member of the Foundation of Disabled People’s Art, I crossed paths with Prof. Jan Stopczyński. When he learnt about my rich sailing history, he inspired me to take up marine painting

And you thought that was just what you should be doing.

All my dreams are connected with sailing. I said to myself I would paint this “one real storm” at the Botnicka

Bay. It was so amazing that despite a number of attempts, I’m still not satisfied with the result. Painting sea themes is not merely an expression of my dreams about sailing which have not come true; it’s a way of life. When I paint I relive everything again, I can see it, feel it, each painting tells a story of its own. Thanks to it, I don’t worry too much about my disability getting worse. Despite all the years spent at the easel, I still enjoy it and I feel I’m becoming a better painter with every new painting. I myself wonder how it’s possible that the poorer my sight is, the better my paintings are.

Your paintings will be the main theme of MAEM 2021 calendar. Our business partners all around the world will get it before the holiday season in December, it will be delivered on board ships together with our products. How do you feel about it?

I’m honoured that my paintings , memories will return to the seas and oceans in the form of a calendar. I’m really happy and very proud of it.

The paintings you’re going to paint for us will be also shown in a gallery in the public area of our manufacturing facility. I do hope we may ask you to open the exhibition in person?

I’ll do it with great pleasure. I’ll be very happy. Everyone who paints dreams about their paintings being viewed, making someone smile and happy or maybe even being praised. I’ve been given such a chance by you. Thank you very much.

So, we wish you every success in painting the “real” storm and are already looking forward to the opening of your gallery at our manufacturing facility..

Certainly. See you then!

The calendar is a surprise you will get together with holiday gifts. We hope our joint project will receive a warm welcome from you.

If any of you would like to buy a painting from Mr Andrzej Flach, do not hesitate to contact us, we would be happy to help you get in touch with this exceptional artist.