When Poland was occupied by the Germans in 1939 Jadwiga, an artist, became active in the Resistance. She was arrested in 1941 and transported to the Ravensbrück women’s camp.

In the camp Jadwiga stole plain wrapping paper, newspapers and crayons so she could draw. If she had been discovered she would have been put to death.

Jadwiga drew everyday life in the camp: newborn babies, sick prisoners, bandages being wrapped, stockings being mended. To avoid detection she sewed her drawings into her clothes.

Jadwiga was freed by the White Buses. When she arrived in Malmö in April 1945 she had the drawings in a packet under her arm.

Jadwiga’s drawings were exhibited at the museum in Malmö and in several other Swedish cities in 1946. They evoked strong reactions from the general public. That same year she returned to Poland where she continued to draw and paint as long as she lived.