Magdalena Hniedziewicz
Year(s) attended: 2008, 2010, 2011
Supported by Folk Arts of Poland
Reverse Glass Painting with Hand Made Paper-Mache Frames


Reverse glass painting is an art form used since ancient times throughout different areas of the world including Europe. The work was primarily painted for church alters and the subject matter was usually religious scenes. Magdalena carries on this tradition by making wonderful naïve depictions of religious paintings as she paints onto the back of the glass which is then covered with gold leaf and finished off with a leather backing. Her frames are molded out of papier-mâché and painted by hand. Her work is reminiscent of centuries past and gives its viewers the opportunity to experience the traditional painted glass as it was done in ancient times.