Andrzej S. Kowalski 1930—2004 — announcement of the exhibition
Exhibition opening: 5th April, 6 pm
‘Andrzej S. Kowalski’ — first, as extensive artists monograph Andrzej Seweryn Kowalski was born on the 23rd November 1930 in Sosnowiec and passed away on the 11th April 2004 in Katowice. His generation made their debut...
Andrzej Seweryn Kowalski (1930–2004) — an artist, painter, graphic designer, writer, essayist and teacher, one of the leading figures in Katowice's artistic community, professor at the Academy of Fine Arts in Katowice, member of the Grupa Krakowska (Kraków Group), Grupa Zagłębie (Zagłębie Group) and Arkat — Artyści Katowiccy (Katowice Artists), illustrator, book designer, author of rotogravure and monotype prints, easel paintings and polychromes, writer and columnist, member of an independent anti-communist group and martial-law prisoner. He was actively engaged in the independent cultural movement.
At the end of the 1950s, his painting and graphical works began to include organic, loose blot forms of characteristic colour shades (browns, yellows, olive greens and greys), arranged with a consistent geometrical order in mind. The painter's intuitive choices were complemented by a clear element of rationality. With time, he introduced geometrical and figurative motives into his art compositions.
In his theoretical deliberations on the essence of painting and artistic work in general, he laid emphasis on the importance of an ethical approach. As he once said, ‘A human being is doomed to roam a night that is worthy of his epoch. This night might be immersed in the expanse of light. Yet, we must not abandon this path, even if we knew we would step into the realm of much deeper darkness. It is an artist's duty is to accompany humanity along this path’.
