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When less is actually more
ANGUS REID discovers a choice exhibition of Alexander Zyw work - a Pole who adopted Edinburgh in the aftermath of WWII
(L to R) In Depth, 1948-9; The Dance c1948
[The Scottish Gallery]
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JOHN GREEN, MICHAL BONCZA and BELLA KATZ review The Good Boy, Broken English, and Don't Be Prey
Alexander Zyw,
Before & After, work from 1934–1951
The Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh
THE most worthy of attention show in lockdown Edinburgh is also the most modest. A dozen paintings in a small room at the Scottish Gallery amount to an account of the impact of WWII on the soul, the mind and the canvas of a great modernist you have probably never heard of.
The artist is Alexander Zyw (1905–1995), who trained in pre-war Poland and who, by a series of accidents, lived in Edinburgh from 1941 – 1970.
He resided in France when Nazi Germany attacked, fought as machine gunner with Polish units. After defeat he escaped via Spain and then wangled the position of war artist with a Polish 1st armoured division based in Scotland.
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