Jaroslaw Kukowski - Informations

Iconography referring to the present time and oscillating between hyper- and surrealism – is the shortest definition of Jarosław Kukowski’s painting. It takes more than a few words to describe his artistic work. In order to do that, I will use the most characteristic of his works...

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"Surrealism in Polish contemporary art. The artistic output of Zdzisław Beksiński, Jarosław Kukowski and Wojciech Siudmak". One of the most remarkable and meaningful personages of world of art, not only in Poland, but also abroad is Jarosław Kukowski. This modern artist was born on 11 April 1972 in Tczew. He presented his works for the first time in 1994 in the ‘CSW Stara Łaźnia’ gallery in Gdańsk. That year he exhibited three more times – in Starogard Gdański, Gdańsk and Skarszewy. In the following years he presented his paintings several times, for example in Warszawa,in the ‘SD’ gallery with which he cooperates up until today, but also in Łódź and Kraków. In 2002 he took part in a collective exhibition called ‘Polish Surrealists'...

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Jaroslaw Kukowski (Poland) - he was born in 1972. He has been painting since youth. His public debut was in the Gdansk "Stara Laznia" Gallery in 1994. In his early works it is possible to notice the attempt to analyze the world and life against psychological background. The artist's work is directed towards the in-depth study of human nature. His work is the world of surrealistic creatures, which disturb the spirit of sensitive observer. In his work we can notice the grotesque and mockery of imperfections of life, and sense the signals of danger and threat. His view on life sometimes seems to be very drastic and exaggerated. Death, conflagration, disaster are frequent elements of his artistic reality. The work presented refers to the process of creation but it can be noticed that during the painting process emotions and impressions go beyond the artist's initial vision and such painting could have a number of titles. Kukowski is a master of drawing, he works in a classical way, he paints by scumble. He does it very skillfully. There are symbolic elements in his work, which can trigger contradictory reactions of the audience.

[...] A contemporary Polish widely-known painter. Kukowski’s works are described as examples of surrealism or photosurrealism. He uses techniques of drawing and oil painting. His characteristic painting effect is "trompe l'oeil" – an illusion of three-dimensionality experienced by viewers. The artist is famous for his untypical process of documenting his painting activities by recording them in the form of animation.

Kukowski explores moral and social themes relating to death and elapsing time in his works. They are also a detailed study of human nature and their objective is to move the spectator deeply.

Critics divide Jarosław Kukowski’s artistic work into three phases: his early artistic works are marked by elaborate dramatic symbolism. Human figures are subject to deformation, whereas landscapes become surrealistic. It is a series called “non-dreams”. Another series entitled “frescos” is distinguished by a sense of time elapsing and dramatism in the form of frescos under which there are slightly revealed some other pictures. In the most recent paintings described as “undreams” the artist returned to surrealism, irony and provocation.

1993- Bruwssum, the Netherlands.
1994- “CSW Stara Łaźnia” Gallery, Gdańsk.
1994- “N” Gallery, Starogard Gdański.
1994- Castle of Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Skarszewy.
1994- “Plama” Gallery, Gdańsk.
1996- SD Gallery, Warsaw.
1997- “Miniatura” Theatre, Gdańsk.
1998- Wilczeniec,Warsaw.
1998- The Diocesan Museum, Pelplin.
1998- Adi Art Gallery, exhibition and auction, Łódź.
1999- Wilczeniec, Warsaw.
2000- SD Gallery, Warsaw.
2001- Nationwide Antiquarianism and Contemporary Art Fairs, “Bunkier Sztuki” Gallery, Cracow.
2002- ”Polish Surrealists” exhibition, Panorama Patio Gallery, Warsaw.
2002- The National Museum, the Królikarnia Palace, exhibition of finalists of "Painting of
the Year" Competition, Warsaw.
2002- ARTEXPO, New York.
2003- SD Gallery, Warsaw.
2003- exhibition in the rooms of " REMPEX" Auction House, Warsaw.
2003- Ars Nova Gallery, Łódź.
2003- The National Museum, the Królikarnia Palace, exhibition of the finalists of "Painting of the Year 2002" Competition, Warsaw.
2003- "Nude" exhibition, Gallery of "REMPEX" Auction House, Warsaw.
2003- Nationwide Antiquarianism and Contemporary Art Fairs, “Bunkier Sztuki” Gallery, Cracow.
2004- Program Gallery: exhibition presenting finalists of "Lexmark European Art Prize" painting competition, Warsaw.
2004- Galerie Bram, Denmark.
2004- Exhibition in the gallery of " REMPEX" Auction House, Warsaw.
2004- BP Gallery, Warsaw.
2004- Nationwide Antiquarianism and Contemporary Art Fairs, “Bunkier Sztuki” Gallery, Cracow.
2004- SD Gallery, Warsaw.
2005- Voregaard Castle, Denmark.
2005- Modern Art Gallery, Kołobrzeg.
2005- The Turlej Foundation Gallery, Cracow.
2007- SD Wilanów Gallery, Warsaw.
2007- Modern Art Gallery, Kołobrzeg.
2008- "Polish Surrealists", SD Panorama Patio Gallery, Warsaw.
2008- World Art Erotic Art Museum Miami USA.
2008- Beate Ushe Erotik Museum, Berlin.
2008- Wynwood Art District Miami, USA.
2008- Conseil des Arts du Quebec -Montreal, Kanada.
2008- SOHO Studios Miami, USA.
2009- Muzeum Diecezjalne, Pelplin, Polska
2009- Płocka Galeria Sztuki, Płock, Polska
2009- Galeria ZPAP, Łódź, Polska
2009- WSC Miami , USA
2009- BOXeight Studios & Gallery, Los Angeles , USA
2009- California Modern Art Gallery, San Francisco , USA