CONTEST

This pull-down map of Poland was a particular favorite in my inventory for over twenty years. I unrolled it a number of times to view its remarkable detail and unusual visual components before developing ideas to make with it. After reading and about the country’s history, a few topics in particular fascinated me: how often its (and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth) borders changed, and the colorful names/nicknames of many of its rulers, whose rule changed frequently. These became the subjects of this work. The title includes the remarkable fact that the country didn’t exist for 123 years, and came back. 

The painted outlines delineate the shifting borders. The names, nicknames and dates are hand printed one letter at a time. The small type summarizes what the rulers are most known for, and each is color coded with a circle connecting them  to the country's borders at the time. The original map is visible beneath the painting and printing.

Poland, Its Shifting Borders…, transcription of handprinted text