Krzysztof Urbaniak - Zakochana Polska

Krzysztof URBANIAK Year of birth: 1980 Artist who paints with words A break from reality painted with words My paintings are a theater of imagination – situations transferred onto paper or canvas, conversations I had, meetings I explained. The images 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 the painting is in the language in which I think at the moment it appears in my head. My artistic creation began at the moment I learned to read. Words, quotes, song lyrics, associations related to the past, present and future, fragments from cabaret performances recited from memory – everything connected with the word paints my images. “A word at the beginning” – just as the line begins every drawing and painting. Many images are inspired by the words of song lyrics. I am self-taught. Education I studied drawing and art history with Professor Joël LEBRA; my passion for art history was passed on to me by Professor Mariusz Karpowicz, William Kurtyka taught me to look at paintings and encouraged me to pursue artistic work. Philosophy Each image is accompanied by description and analysis. Every painting begins with words that have been spoken by me or by my interlocutors. Around them, form, shape, color, line thickness, etc., are built. The lines that appear on the paintings connect to form a loop, allowing one to get lost while viewing the image 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 the image. 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 possibility to get lost and to find themselves again. The person reading the painting’s description has the possibility 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. Influences I am inspired by the words spoken by people, written words, translated and untranslatable words, images, sculptures, and buildings created by people, including among others by 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 City Hall of Pfastatt, France. June 2025. Exhibition during the charity event “Two Hearts,” Strasbourg, France. July and August 2026. Poland (Polanica-Zdrój) France (Mulhouse). Many locations, including the Ogrody Pieniawskie and Art Café in Polanica-Zdrój, Mediateka in Pfastatt and the restaurant Le Coin des Delices in Moosch. September 2026. Exhibition Regards croisés (Crossed gazes) in the Saint-Etienne church, Mulhouse, France. ARTISTIC CONCEPT I paint the pictures with words; the form of the image, its shapes and colors are planned before painting. This stems from the impossibility of making corrections after painting. The concept of the images is based on a line that forms a loop. The line does not cross itself anywhere. I chose a loop because it symbolizes the repetition of cycles in nature, of which I am a part. Cyclicity is embedded in a human being. The number of words available in each language is limited; we use about 1,500–2,000 words for free communication, words and letters repeat cyclically, but each time in a different context.

Estimate:£338.88

View all items fromCatawikiorContemporary Art