Tomasz Liboska and Michał Jędrzejowski Don’t mess with Texas

 

 

 

We set off to Texas in 2009, 155 years after the first wave of the Silesian exile. We came to the Virgin Mary – the first Polish parish on the American mainland. We visited homes, schools, churches and bars. We were looking for Moczygęba, Labus, and Janysk. We found Texans: jeans, cowboy boots, Republican views and the all-pervasive “Don’t Mess with Texas”. We learned their stories, and heard tales ancient and modern of the homeland. Each one is a multigenerational saga interwoven with sorrow, but also a sense of joy and fulfilment. Among our heroes there are farmers, businessmen, clergymen, musicians, and writers. Who are the descendants of the Silesian pioneers today? We couldn’t find an answer. We don’t need one.

 

 

 

Michał Jędrzejowski and Tomasz Liboska – both working professionally in photography; frequent prizewinners. They have been working together since 2008. They received the Grand Press Photo 2008 award in the people category for their Wojownicy [Warriors] project, and their photos from the Don’t mess with Texas cycle reached the finals of Grand Press Photo 2010.