Remembering Roch Dziewialtowski – Gintowt
25th Mar 2020
It is with collective sadness that we acknowledge the recent passing of artist Roch Dziewialtowski – Gintowt, a man for whom DADAA was such an important part of his daily purpose. Roch was both a fixture at DADAA and a reminder of our raison d’être: Art For Social Change.
For over 14 years Roch would rise early, catch the train to Fremantle and arrive at DADAA at around 7.30am with much noise and happiness. An incredibly prolific artist, each month Roch produced hundreds of portraits and striped drawings, churning through boxes and boxes of coloured pencils. Roch was also one of the original team of visual artists who, together with Chris Williams, set up DADAA’s Freight studios and gallery on Beach St, nearly 14 years ago.
Roch was one of those members of our community for whom finding a place, purpose and community was hard. In recent weeks, as we have communicated with Roch’s family, we have been reminded of the significance that DADAA played in Roch’s life. To mark Roch’s passing we hosted three days of morning teas, bringing together Roch’s peers in the studios, DADAA Artsworkers, and our Arts and Client Services teams over a well-sugared cuppa and jam sandwiches (Roch’s lunch of choice).
We are grateful that Roch found his place here in the DADAA studios.
Later in the year, Roch’s work will feature at DADAA Fremantle Gallery in a group exhibition which explores themes of artistic labour and process, and we look forward to seeing you all there with us.
