Krzysztof Urbaniak - Błogostan

Krzysztof URBANIAK Year of birth: 1980 An artist who paints with words A break from reality, painted with words My paintings are a theatre of imagination – situations that I have found myself in, conversations I have had, meetings I have explained. The paintings are created in a place where many cultures meet: Polish, Alsatian, French, German, and Swiss, and in many languages: Polish, French, German, and English. The title of a painting is in the language in which I think at the moment it appears in my mind. My artistic creation began at the moment I learned to read. Words, quotes, song lyrics, associations relating to the past, present, and future, remembered fragments of cabaret performances – everything connected with the word paints my images. “The word at the beginning” – just as a line starts every drawing and painting. Many paintings are inspired by the words of song lyrics. I am self-taught. Education I studied Drawing and Art History with Professor Joël LEBRA; the passion for art history was passed to me by Professor Mariusz Karpowicz, William Kurtyka taught me how to look at paintings and encouraged me to pursue artistic work. Philosophy Every painting is accompanied by a description and analysis. Each painting begins with words spoken by me, or by my interlocutors. Around them, form, shape, color, line thickness, etc., are built. The lines that appear in the paintings connect to form a loop, allowing one to get lost while viewing the painting and enabling analysis after reading the text, which is an integral part of it. Music is often associated with the paintings, which I propose listening to while viewing. Reading and speaking are natural activities. It is also natural to break with reality, which I enable for those looking at my paintings. The stories told in the paintings are true – REALITY PROVIDES MORE EMOTION THAN FICTION. Sometimes improbable. The person looking at my paintings has the opportunity to get lost and to find themselves again. The person reading the painting’s description has the opportunity to find themselves while looking, to get lost, and to find themselves again. Technique Acrylic on canvas, acrylic on paper, ink on paper, collage, mixed media. Inspiration I am inspired by words spoken by people, words written, translated and untranslatable, images, sculptures and buildings created by people, including among others Dadaists, Dariusz Orwat, the Bauhaus movement, Anni Albers, Le Corbusier, Jean Tinguely, Hans Arp, Niki de Saint Phalle. Past exhibitions March 2024. Exhibition of paintings at Domaine du Hirtz, Wattwiller, France. May 2025. Exhibition at the Town Hall of Pfastatt, France. June 2025. Exhibition during the charity event “Two Hearts,” Strasbourg, France. July and August 2026. Poland (Polanica-Zdrój) France (Mulhouse). Several locations, including the Pieniawskie Gardens and Art Café in Polanica-Zdrój, the Mediatek in Pfastatt, and the Le Coin des Delices restaurant in Moosch. September 2026. Exhibition Regards croisés (Crossed Gazes) in the Saint-Etienne church, Mulhouse, France. ARTISTIC CONCEPT I paint with words; the form of the painting, its shapes and colors are planned before painting. This stems from the impossibility of making corrections after the painting is finished. The concept of the paintings is based on a line that forms a loop. The line does not cross itself at any point. I chose a loop because it symbolizes the repetitiveness of cycles in nature, of which I am a part. Cyclicality is inherent in a person. The number of words available in each language is limited; we use about 1,500–2,000 words for free communication, and words and letters repeat cyclically, but each time in a different context.

Estimate:£508.33

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