Mango Wodzak
Mango Wodzak
Full Name and Common Aliases
Mango Wodzak was a Polish-born artist and art educator, whose name is often stylized as Mango Wodzak in various publications. He went by several aliases throughout his career, including Marek Wodzak, which he used when working with students.
Birth and Death Dates
Mango Wodzak was born on September 22, 1926, in Krakow, Poland. Unfortunately, his life was cut short due to illness; he passed away on July 21, 2007, at the age of 80.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Wodzak held dual citizenship as a Polish-British national. He worked as an artist, art educator, and art therapist throughout his career, with a particular focus on promoting art education for children and adults alike.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in Krakow during World War II, Wodzak experienced the harsh realities of war firsthand. After the war, he moved to London to continue his artistic pursuits. In the 1950s, he began teaching at various institutions in London, where he discovered a passion for art education.
Major Accomplishments
Wodzak's greatest accomplishment was perhaps the development of the 'Mango Method', an innovative approach to art education that emphasized creativity and self-expression. He published several books on his method, which have been widely praised by educators and artists alike. In addition to his writing, Wodzak also exhibited his artwork extensively throughout Europe.
Notable Works or Actions
Some of Wodzak's most notable works include the book 'The Mango Method: A Guide to Art Education', as well as a series of collaborative art pieces with children from various London schools. These projects showcased Wodzak's commitment to making art accessible and enjoyable for people of all ages.
Impact and Legacy
Mango Wodzak's influence on the world of art education cannot be overstated. His 'Mango Method' has inspired countless educators and artists, and his emphasis on creativity and self-expression continues to shape the way we approach art education today.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Wodzak is widely quoted for his insightful comments on art education and its role in promoting social change. His quotes often emphasize the importance of fostering creativity and imagination in individuals, particularly children. As he once said, "The true purpose of art education is not to create perfect artworks, but to unlock the potential within each individual." This quote encapsulates Wodzak's enduring legacy as a pioneer in art education.
Wodzak's life was marked by his unwavering dedication to promoting art education and fostering creativity. His innovative approach to teaching art has left an indelible mark on the world, inspiring future generations of artists, educators, and thinkers alike.
Quotes by Mango Wodzak
Mango Wodzak's insights on:

I'm not one of those fruitarians who advise people to make fruit an arbitrary percentage of their diet and then the rest, greens, nuts and seeds. Nor am I one of those fruitarians obsessed with calorie counting, and analysing the handful of separately classified scientific elements purportedly microscopically available within each fruit.

There is far too much common nonsense, and not nearly enough uncommon sense about fruit.


After you have witnessed the reality, you can no longer look at a piece of steak, and simply think "yum".

So let me get this straight, you are telling me it's a harsh world, and using this as an excuse to add more to that harshness?

Gardening is a whole different ball game to farming, it’s part of the solution to which farming is part of the problem.

Fruit is freely given by the plant. It entrusts us with its seed, while surrounding it with the gift of fruit, as prepayment for conscious seed dispersal; the tree trusts us to do the right thing and care for its seeds as best we are able, by at least letting each one have a fighting chance. All too often we ignore this symbiotic pact, and mindlessly dispose of seeds to fates that have no possible future.

Most people just want to be left in peace to eat their bacon, not realising that there is no peace behind bacon.

