Description
Object description
Polish Jewish schoolchild in Drohobych, Poland, 9/1939-9/1942; inmate of Drohobych Ghetto, Poland, 9/1942-2/1943; inmate of Beskiden Labour Camp, Poland, 2/1943-8/1944
Content description
REEL 1 Background in Boryslaw, Drohobych, Gdynia and Golice, Poland, 1927-1941: family; early childhood; impact of financial crash and loss of father's job; life in Gdynia; period living in Golice. Aspects of period as schoolchild in Drohobych, Poland, 1939-1942: arrival of Soviet Army, 1939; education and members of Young Pioneers; attitude of Soviets towards children. Recollections of period as inmate of Drohobych Ghetto, Poland, 9/1942-2/1943: introduction of restrictions against Jewish population; treatment of father and other notable Jews; creation of Judenrat; aunt's work for Judenrat; work on building site; fate of brother; employment on building site.
REEL 2 Continues: Jewish photographer who hid photographs taken of Gestapo; hiding during German 'actions' in the ghetto; escape attempt by friends; description of factory employment in small camp outside ghetto run by Victor Kremin; attitude towards Victor Kremin; abortive escape attempt; liquidation of camp and removal to local prison. Aspects of period in Drohobych Prison, 1943: attitude towards imprisonment; conditions; release through posing as wife of Poldek Weiss. Recollections of period as inmate of Beskiden Labour Camp, Poland, 3/1943-8/1944: description of camp and conditions; fate of family; attitude towards Poldek Weiss; work duties.
REEL 3 Continues: German behaviour towards inmates; creating hiding place under floor of hut; hiding during round up of inmates; hiding with Ukranian couple; liberation by Soviet Army, 8/1944. Aspects of period as civilian in Poland, 1945-1946: living with Weiss family in Drohobych; attitude towards relationship with Poldek Weiss; leaving Drohobych to Walbrzych in western Poland; refusal to marry Poldek Weiss; reaction of Poldek Weiss to her decision; meeting future husband Adam Nathan Adams, marriage. Aspects of period as civilian in London, GB, from 1950: move to London via Paris, France, 1950.
REEL 4 Continues: Aspects of period as civilian in London, GB from 1950: illness and birth of son; studying art at St Martin's School of Art, London, 1960; relations with artist Lady Rachael Clay; success as artist. Reflections on Holocaust experience: impact of experience on her art; explanation of paintings, 'Looking Back', 'Two Frightened Children', 'The Parting', 'Sorrow', 'Refugees', 'The Flower Painter' and 'Going Up Soon, But Where'.
REEL 5 Continues: willingness of husband to talk about Holocaust experience; interest of son in her Holocaust experience and return to Poland; organising Kaddish service for parents and brother; impact of her experience on son; impact of experience on sense of Jewishness.