In conjunction with Roma Awareness Month, the Tompkins
County Public Library and Cornell University’s Institute for European Studies
will host artist and curator Katalin Papp for a discussion of the Library’s
current art exhibit “Roma Pals” April 28 at 2 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community
Room.
Papp, a Slovakian Roma artist, will provide a fascinating look at the stories and issues behind the featured art and highlight the pedagogical philosophy behind the paintings, the prejudice and hostility faced by the Roma-- despite a policy of integration-- and explain why these paintings play such an important part in breaking down stereotypes and prejudices surrounding the Roma people.
The works presented in “Roma Pals” were created by Roma children 20 years ago under the tutelage of Slovakian art teacher Jan Sajko. Sajko was known for his ability to awaken the artistic talents of the primary school students he taught in Jarovnice, a poor Romany settlement in eastern Slovakia. Having seen traditional teaching methods fail the Roma students, Sajko encouraged them to explore their own culture and history in their paintings and to create on their own terms. He also encouraged students to believe that with hard work they could change their lives and that they were not condemned to the life of poverty and idleness that has been the fate of many Roma in Europe.
The works by Sajko’s students have been shown around the world, and have won many awards.
Papp’s talk is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Exhibit Coordinator Sally Grubb at (607) 272-4557 extension 232 or srubb@tcpl.org.
Papp, a Slovakian Roma artist, will provide a fascinating look at the stories and issues behind the featured art and highlight the pedagogical philosophy behind the paintings, the prejudice and hostility faced by the Roma-- despite a policy of integration-- and explain why these paintings play such an important part in breaking down stereotypes and prejudices surrounding the Roma people.
The works presented in “Roma Pals” were created by Roma children 20 years ago under the tutelage of Slovakian art teacher Jan Sajko. Sajko was known for his ability to awaken the artistic talents of the primary school students he taught in Jarovnice, a poor Romany settlement in eastern Slovakia. Having seen traditional teaching methods fail the Roma students, Sajko encouraged them to explore their own culture and history in their paintings and to create on their own terms. He also encouraged students to believe that with hard work they could change their lives and that they were not condemned to the life of poverty and idleness that has been the fate of many Roma in Europe.
The works by Sajko’s students have been shown around the world, and have won many awards.
Papp’s talk is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Exhibit Coordinator Sally Grubb at (607) 272-4557 extension 232 or srubb@tcpl.org.
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