Kamila Pogorzelska

Looking at what is happening in today’s world, many of us could have lost hope in the power of imagination. We are inundated with a wave of bad news from television, newspapers, and social media platforms. Wars and climate disasters are now commonplace, and whether we like it or not, we have to somehow deal with them. Recognizing this rather pessimistic introduction, at the same time, we will try to broaden this perspective and draw your attention momentarily towards art.

Another Young Polish Artists is approaching with the upcoming spring. Among them are works of artists who, through creating their pieces, find asylum amidst the surrounding reality. In this article, we want to draw attention to paintings created in the spirit of exceptionally visually appealing movements, namely magical realism and surrealism. What exactly distinguishes these two directions in art? We will try to approximate the answer to this question by examining examples of works by two artists who faithfully create in these conventions.

Among the selection of the upcoming Young Art Auction, one can find an artist collaborating with us, Piotr Horodyński. In his paintings, we can see many motifs reminiscent of childhood times such as balloons, houses, kites, or characters straight out of fairy tales. These objects and figures appear here in a colorful, joyful aura, and the paintings themselves seem to affect the viewer like a breath of carefree childhood and youth. This is largely due to the reflection of the artist’s own spirit :) Objects that have such an impact on our memory, although coming from the real world, surrounded by a magical aura, distract us from reality, inviting us to a more interesting version of it. Or maybe they just enchant it? Is this what magical realism is?

Perhaps. Thanks to the work of another artist, to whom we draw your attention, subsequent trend that emerges here requires no further explanation. Looking at the paintings of this young creator, it’s hard not to feel that he drew inspiration from Beksiński himself. The fantastic landscape, because that’s the simplest way to describe Grzegorz Jaśnikowski’s painting, is surrealism in its purest form. Ignoring the convention – irrational and not of this world, the often oversized elements of the painting which the artist places in his works, arouse curiosity. A gigantic boat rising from a concrete block or an equally large bell resembling Notre-Dame, inscribed in a burning structure.

On the canvases, there often appears the motif of an open book and the moon, sometimes a few. All these fairytale themes, like a clock or a wandering mage, evoke fantasy in a bookish edition. The artist also draws inspiration from pop culture. These paintings evoke incredible stories - it’s easy to get lost in them, spinning tales that could happen on them. The motif of a man and a flying house often appeared on the artist’s canvases last year. Today, his painting has turned towards strong fantasy. Drowning in his own imagination, he creates alternative realities for the viewer straight out of “The Lord of the Rings.” What catches the eye when looking at his paintings is also the beautiful light, often moonlight. Thanks to it, this surrealistic tone resonates even more magically in the painter’s works.

Both Grzegorz Jaśnikowski’s and Piotr Horodyński’s works are characterized by the excellent craftsmanship of their creators. Precision of execution, attention to detail, excellent sense of atmosphere, and interesting themes make the works created in the currents of surrealism and magical realism increasingly popular with the audience. Both of these directions require great painting skills as well as a powerful imagination and creativity from the authors. It depends only on the sensitivity of the viewer and their imagination where they will see the subtle, undefined boundaries between worlds. Many other artists possess the wealth of their own fantasies, whose extraordinary talent allows them to look at the world in a completely unique way. Among them at our auctions, you will find creators such as: Martyna Mączka, Beata Mura, Magdalena Szilke, or Katarzyna Orońska. We encourage you to enchant your reality and take part in the Young Polish Artists! The auction will take place on March 20th at 7:00 PM at our headquarters at Piękna 1A in Warsaw, as well as by phone and through the mobile application.