by Prof. Arno Mohr around 1948 (Private archive)
This section in Helena Scigala's biography also represents a building block for the still unwritten group biography of the Pankow Circle of the Association of Visual Artists of Germany (VBKD 1950 to 1970) and the Association of Visual Artists of the GDR (VBK 1970 to 1990).
Helena Scigala had the gift of networking well within the circle of professional colleagues. Under the socio-political framework conditions of the GDR, it was in any case advantageous to build and maintain as close-knit a network as possible. As a member of the VBKD, which had accepted her after her application in 1954, and specifically in the department of painting and graphics, Helena Scigala was able to develop a lively exhibition activity since then and at the same time build and deepen personal relationships.
Her mentor, Prof. Arno Mohr (see below), also supported her by, for example, giving the introduction on March 21, 1959, on the occasion of the opening of her first media-effective solo exhibition in the renowned Deutsche Bücherstube in Berlin-Mitte.
My special thanks go to the German Photographic Library (deutschefotothek.de), without whose extensive support this section could not have been created in this way. This help is an extremely important contribution to giving the great artists a "face" again in order to counter oblivion. Thank you.
Below, a selection of her companions (in alphabetical order) is named. If you have suggestions for additions, we would be pleased to hear from you at:
Companions (f) |
|---|
|
Flierl, Ingeborg (1926) also Millies-Flierl Illustrator, Graphic Artist and Textile Artist https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inge_Flierl Exhibition from June 12, 2024 to February 2, 2025 at Museum Pankow"Around Kollwitzplatz" Early drawings and prints by Ingeborg Flierl 
|
|
Grundig, Lea (1906-1977) Painter and Graphic Artist |
|
Holz-Averdung, Elisabeth (1911-1970) Painter   |
|
Hunzinger, Ingeborg (1915-2009) Sculptor 
|
|
Kahane, Doris (1920-1976) Visual Artist |
|
Klemke-Stremlau, Gertrud (1913-1988) Painter and Graphic Artist   |
|
Mau, Toni Florence (1917-1981) - Painter and Graphic Artist 
|
|
Quevedo, Nuria (1938) Visual Artist 
|
|
Shaw, Elisabeth (1920-1992) Graphic Artist and Children's Book Author https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Shaw https://kunstarchiv-graetz-shaw.de/
|
Companions (m) |
|---|
|
Bofinger, Manfred (1941-2006) Graphic Artist, Caricaturist and Cartoonist     |
|
Rosié, Paul (1910-1984) Graphic Artist, Painter, Caricaturist, Poster Artist, Book Illustrator and Writer      |
|
Balden, Theo (1904-1995) Sculptor and Graphic Artist 
|
|
Blendinger, Günter (1945) Painter and Graphic Artist   |
|
Butzmann, Manfred (1942-) Graphic Artist https://manfred-butzmann.gesucht-im-netz.de/butzmann.php?rubrik=grafik   |
|
Cremer, Fritz (1906-1993) Sculptor, Graphic Artist and Illustrator, later Vice President of the Academy of Arts of the GDR 
|
|
Duda, Fritz (1904-1991) Painter and Graphic Artist   |
|
Graetz, René (1908-1974) Sculptor, Graphic Artist and Painter 
|
|
Grzimek, Waldemar Prof. (1918-1984) Sculptor, Ceramist, Lithographer, Woodcutter, Illustrator and Medalist.    |
|
Klemke, Werner Prof. (1917-1994) Commercial Artist, Graphic Artist, Illustrator https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Werner_Klemke  |
|
Kuhfuss, Paul (1883-1960) Painter and Illustrator |
|
Lüttger, Harry (1919-2005) Painter and Graphic Artist 
|
|
Mohr, Arno (1910-2001), Professor since 1946     |
|
Niemeyer-Holstein, Otto (1896-1984) Painter https://www.atelier-otto-niemeyer-holstein.de/museum https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_Niemeyer-Holstein
|
|
Paris, Ronald (1933-2021) Painter and Graphic Artist 
|
|
Roland Spörl (1936 - 1972) Commercial Artist and Illustrator 
|
|
Rommel, Gerhard (1934-2014) Sculptor, Medalist, Coin Designer, Graphic Artist and Painter |
|
Sandberg, Herbert (1908-1991) Graphic Artist and Caricaturist https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_Sandberg_(Karikaturist) 
|
|
Schultz-Liebisch, Paul (1905-1996) - Painter and Graphic Artist https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Schultz-Liebisch https://www.schultz-liebisch.de/      |
|
Seidemann, Martin (1950-) Painter and Graphic Artist - Honorary Professor at the Berlin-Weissensee School of Art https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Seidemann https://www.martinseidemann.de  |
|
Strempel, Horst (1904-1975) Painter and Graphic Artist |
|
Tucholski, Herbert (1896-1984) Painter, Graphic Artist and Publicist https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_Tucholski The following letter, which Herbert Tucholski wrote to Helena Scigala on New Year's Eve 1957, testifies that besides her teacher Prof. Arno Mohr, this older companion also quite pragmatically and concretely took care of motivating and promoting the artist. 
Berlin […] 31.12.57 Dear Mrs. Scigalla [sic], Your colored prints were particularly well received by Dähn [referring to Prof. Fritz Dähn, at that time head of the Central Workshops for Visual Arts in Berlin] and me. Unfortunately, no prize was awarded, as the submissions were incomplete due to the short time. Personally, I find it a pity that you apparently use tube oil paint (with greasy edges) and, above all, such poor waste paper. Such good work would deserve better material. It is advisable to use at least letterpress or colored litho ink, especially better paper. We have such colors in the workshop, and for linoleum, you could also execute the colored prints in the rubbing or copperplate press with us. - Or you would have to try the Chinese printing technique with water color. I could advise you in the workshop. You would need to bring tempera colors (bound with gum, not with casein) and, if possible, good paper/Japanese paper, which must be moistened. If you have no money, about 10 MK from a material donation would be available for you. - I am in the workshop all day every Monday and Wednesday, Chausseestr. 102 IV. There you could also etch and lithograph. Please also tell Schulz-Liebich [referring to Paul Schultz-Liebisch]. With friendly New Year's greetings Your Herbert Tucholski (Spelling and punctuation follow the source.) 
|
|
Worner, Heinz (1910-2008) Sculptor 
|
|
Zickelbein, Horst (1926-2024) Painter and Graphic Artist 
|
Supporters / Patrons
Special thanks go to the following supporters and collectors of Helena Scigala's life and work, as far as they are known. Furthermore, posthumous gratitude is extended to all people who were connected to her in daily life, in good and bad times.
If you have suggestions for additions, we would be pleased to hear from you at:
Fey, Stefan (1914-2012), Photographer and Photo Reporter, Berlin, documented Helena Scigala's work in her studio as well as many of her works over decades.
Lassan, Fritz Successor Art and Construction Glazing Ltd., Berlin-Pankow under the direction of Fritz Lassan, the company framed and glazed numerous works by Helena Scigala free of charge. https://glaserei-lassan.de/
Ruebsam, Renate (†) and her younger sister Almut married Staude; Brandenburg region; were and are connected to Helena Scigala personally and artistically since 1961.
Bellag, Lothar (1930-2001), Actor and Director
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lothar_Bellag
Dr. Bolz, Lothar (1903-1986), National Democratic Politician and Minister https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lothar_Bolz
Berlin, September 5, 1958
My dear Mrs. Wenz! [...] In mid-May, Foreign Minister Dr. Lothar Bolz and his wife visited me in my apartment. Dr. Bolz, who is a great art collector, looked at my works and purchased 14 prints, including 7 color woodcuts. I was a happy person again; because for months my account looked very poor. So I could buy wooden plates, printing ink and paper again. [...]
(Spelling and punctuation follow the source.)
Wenz, Hilde and Wolfgang, Lörrach in Baden-Württemberg; have been connected to Helena Scigala personally and artistically since the 1950s until today.
Wünscher, Marianne (1930-1990), Actress
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marianne_W%C3%BCnscher
Schöndorf, Hans Jakob and sister Juliane, Homburg in Saarland; The pictures of Helena Scigala have accompanied us since the 60s, when my parents lived in what was then West Berlin. After our mother's death in September 2023, my sister and I found two more portfolios with color woodcuts, among other things, that we didn't know about before. These pictures are held in honor by us.
Hoffmann, Dörte and Wolfgang, have been connected to Helena Scigala personally and artistically since the 1960s until today.