'Sigh'
48"x18", 2002,
oil on board
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Lucjan Kowalewski
was born in 1950 in Bia³a Prudnicka in Poland. Although he
never studied at the Academy of Fine Arts, art critics quickly recognised
his interesting works and in 1981 he was accepted as a member of
the Union of Polish (professional) Artists and Designers. He has
taken part in several exhibitions of Polish art. Now he is one of
the most interesting Polish painters. He also creates sculptures
(mainly in bronze), ceramics and does interior decorating.
Works in museums, private collections and galleries: Poland, England,
Japan, Sweden, Canada, Australia, USA, Italy.It's
almost impossible to classify Kowalewski's works. They remind one
of abstract art but can't be described with any well - known terms
although a connoisseur's eye will notice that his usage of light
and colour is similar to the manner of post impressionists (though
the paintings themselves have nothing to do with them).Kowalewski
is fascinated by older masters, such as Dutch masters of light.
This is also seen in the artist's techniques, his precise brushwork,
interesting canvas texture and subtle and elaborate lines that sometimes
appear on canvas, which are reminiscent of 17th century engravings.
He sometimes blends tones and sometimes places the strokes of contrasting
colours directly side by side. Bright shapes which occasionally
look like dry leaves, butterflies' cocoons or misty clouds in the
mountains are usually placed on dark backgrounds. It creates a special,
carefully studied atmosphere.Everything
is done to perfection. Kowalewski doesn't use any obsessive symbols.
Instead of them he introduces surprising, sophisticated, poetical
titles which explain the hidden meaning of his visions and signify
the artist's presence in front of the spectator. The titles and
paintings fuse into each other, telling us what the artist thinks
about life, the existence of man, about his own problems, thoughts
and the loneliness of his soul. Because of that, the canvases live
their own lives, griping and fascinating the observer. They aren't,
simply decorative pieces of art.
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