Magdalena Shummer-Fangor (b. 1930; Poland) is an art historian and self-taught painter. Shummer-Fangor is the widow of the late renowned Polish-American artist Wojciech Fangor (1922-2015), with whom she lived in Vienna (1961–62), Paris (1962–64),West Berlin (1964–65), London (1965–66), the USA (1966-99) and Warsaw. Her work draws deeply from her emotional connection to nature, animals, and the world of fantasy. Born out of an awe for trees, flowers, and creatures both real and imagined, her artistic journey began at the age of thirty. Though she briefly studied art history at the University of Warsaw to deepen her understanding of art, her creative practice developed independently—shaped by intuition, emotion, and daily exposure to the world of painting through her husband, a professional artist.

Her diverse body of work includes vibrant oil paintings and distinctive painted cutouts made from sheet metal, which she shapes, primes, and hand-paints. These cutouts often take the form of butterflies, birds, fish, cats, monkeys, fruits, vegetables, and flowers—appearing both individually and in colorful compositions. Thematically, her art embraces myth and fantasy, referencing scenes like Noah’s Ark, paradisiacal landscapes, festive gatherings, and joyful interactions between animals and people. Her signature style, which she fondly refers to as “poetic realism,” is cheerful, imaginative, and difficult to categorize.

In 1970, the artist began a long-term collaboration with Mabels Gallery, New York City, where she exhibited her work until 1985. During the 1970s, she held exhibitions in the United States (Fairleigh Dickinson University Gallery, Madison, 1978; Morris Gallery, Madison, 1978; Studio Gallery, NYC, 1981); in France (Galerie Naïfs et Primitifs, Paris, 1990); and in Switzerland (Atelier Cora – Galerie La Vague, Hermance, 1990). Between 1981 and 1996, she continued her collaboration with Mabels Gallery Folk Art in NYC. In 1995, she exhibited with Adelante Gallery in Scottsdale, Arizona; in 1997 with Titos Gallery in Las Vegas, New Mexico; in 1998 with Frank Miele Contemporary Folk Art Gallery on Madison Avenue, NYC, and with Houshang Gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Magdalena Shummer-Fangor graduated in art history at the University of Warsaw in 1960.

Since 1999, Magdalena Shummer-Fangor has lived and worked in Poland.