Andrew Malag, Connection 2023

oil on panel, 95 cm x 100 cm

I have always been partial to the Polish idea, even when my sympathies were based solely on instinct (...) My instinctive sympathy for Poland was born under the influence of constant accusations hurled against her. I can say - I formed my opinion of Poland on the basis of her enemies. Namely, I came to the unfailing conclusion that Poland's enemies are almost always the enemies of generosity and valor. Whenever I happened to meet an individual with a slavish soul, practicing usury and the cult of terror, while sinking in the mire of materialistic politics, so many times I discovered in this individual, in addition to the above qualities, a passionate hatred of Poland. I learned to judge her on the basis of these hateful judgments - and the method proved reliable.
Gilbert Keith Chesterton