Irena was born in Poland. At the outbreak of the World War II, her family was deported from Poland to the labour camps of Siberia. She spent the remainder of the war years in Uganda, in a refugee camp. After the war her family were granted asylum in England. She married, started a family, and eventually found her way to the beautiful shores of Lake Winnipeg. It wasn't until her retirement in 1991, that she was able to allow her creative spirit the freedom to embark on its journey as a full time artist.
Many of the themes that unfold in Irena's art are rooted in the harsh conditions of her childhood. Her subjects often mirror the sense of displacement felt by a refugee. They appear to be seeking connectedness in an uprooted world, seeking a deeper meaning of life. Yet despite the sadness of her past, Irena's paintings are filled with an optimistic hope. The artist's vision goes beyond the physical world and finds itself in the realms of the spiritual. It is here that meaning is slowly uncovered, layer by layer as unexpected images emerge. The finished product invites the viewer to share in the same creative, intuitive process of pondering and discovering. It is this dynamic quality that gives her art a wonderful depth.
Irena is a member of the Manitoba Society of Artists. Her art has won numerous awards and can be found in private collections in Canada, U.K. the U.S.A. and at the Winnipeg Art Gallery.
