Malgorzata (Margot) Zurakowska MFA RCA, is an internationally known master of mezzotint. Inspiration for her About the influence of her Polish education on her art, printmaker Malgorzata Zurakowska has written that it "shaped my sensitivity [but] the relation is not very direct . . . as I strive to ask metaphysical questions which are universally valid. Esoteric symbolic language which I use belongs to pan-European tradition. What is specifically of Polish origin is craftsmanship" (1998). Her work is generally small in scale, and her concern with themes of suffering may explain her attraction to the mezzotint process, a type of printing described by Nancy Baele as being principally about a quality of blankness, "deep velvety blacks and the play of light on them" (1994). Another series entitled Passion expands on the theme of the suffering of Christ, going beyond this religious meaning of the word which Zurakowska finds limiting (1998). As she explains: "The 'Passions' have suffered in philosophy from their unflattering juxtaposition of reason, attempts to deny what is uniquely human. A human being in the existential quest has free will in dealing with pain, either to deny its existence or to accept it, and thus transcend the suffering. The 'Passion' cycle . . . attempts to bring up specifically spiritual means of expression to transmit numinous wonder of transfigured suffering" (1998). In a series of prints called The Apocalypse Cycle, Zurakowska draws upon the Book of Revelations to explore devastating occurrences such as the Gulf War and the Holocaust. In addition to her printmaking, Zurakowska has been instrumental in curating exhibitions such as Inside Out (1991) an exhibition held in Krakow which included the work of four Canadian print makers from Edmonton, and Illuminations (1997), an exhibition featuring the prints of Polish printmakers. Through these types of exhibitions, Zurakowska has fostered artistic and cultural exchanges between Poland and Canada. (Margot) Zurakowska MFA RCA, is an internationally known master of mezzotint. Inspiration for her mezzotint prints comes from ancient esoteric texts and cutting-edge cosmology and focus on light as a source of very existence.Malgorzata (Margot) Zurakowska MFA RCA, is an internationally known master of mezzotint. Inspiration for her mezzotint prints comes from ancient esoteric texts and cutting-edge cosmology and focus on light as a source of very existence.Zurakowska had dozens of solo exhibitions in Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Iceland, Norway, Poland, Switzerland and the USA. Participating in over one hundred exhibitions around the world, Zurakowska has won 15 international awards, including at some of the most prestigious international biennials and triennials. Her mezzotint prints are held in the collections of museums throughout the world, including among others, Museum of Fine Arts in Boston; National Museum of Poland; Bibliotheque National in Paris; Trondheim Kunstmuseum, Norway; Museo di Arte Contemporanea, Teolo/Padva, Italy.Elected member of the Royal Canadian Academy, Zurakowska had earned MFA from the Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow, Poland and followed with post-graduate training in philosophy. She has lived, and worked as an artist and educator in Poland, Canada and USA. Malgorzata Zurakowska currently resides and works in Boston MA, USA and teaches at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, where she is the chair of the Illustration Department.Zurakowska had dozens of solo exhibitions in Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Iceland, Norway, Poland, Switzerland and the USA. Participating in over one hundred exhibitions around the world, Zurakowska has won 15 international awards, including at some of the most prestigious international biennials and triennials. Her mezzotint prints are held in the collections of museums throughout the world, including among others, Museum of Fine Arts in Boston; National Museum of Poland; Bibliotheque National in Paris; Trondheim Kunstmuseum, Norway; Museo di Arte Contemporanea, Teolo/Padva, Italy.Elected member of the Royal Canadian Academy, Zurakowska had earned MFA from the Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow, Poland and followed with post-graduate training in philosophy. She has lived, and worked as an artist and educator in Poland, Canada and USA. Malgorzata Zurakowska currently resides and works in Boston MA, USA and teaches at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, where she is the chair of the Illustration Department. prints comes from ancient esoteric texts and cutting-edge cosmology and focus on light as a source of very existence.Zurakowska had dozens of solo exhibitions in Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Iceland, Norway, Poland, Switzerland and the USA. Participating in over one hundred exhibitions around the world, Zurakowska has won 15 international awards, including at some of the most prestigious international biennials and triennials. Her mezzotint prints are held in the collections of museums throughout the world, including among others, Museum of Fine Arts in Boston; National Museum of Poland; Bibliotheque National in Paris; Trondheim Kunstmuseum, Norway; Museo di Arte Contemporanea, Teolo/Padva, Italy.Elected member of the Royal Canadian Academy, Zurakowska had earned MFA from the Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow, Poland and followed with post-graduate training in philosophy. She has lived, and worked as an artist and educator in Poland, Canada and USA. Malgorzata Zurakowska currently resides and works in Boston MA, USA and teaches at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, where she is the chair of the Illustration Department.