Rafal Bujnowski
14 Dec 2007 - 09 Feb 2008
RAFAL BUJNOWSKI
"Lamp Black"
December 14, 2007 - February 9, 2008
/Prague, December 13, 2007/ Official opening on December 13 shall launch the series of works by Polish painter Rafal Bujnowski entitled “Lamp Black” at Jiri Svestka Gallery. “The title of the exhibition is in fact the name of an oil paint, which reflects light when used in appropriate way, and which I have been using when painting my most recent paintings. Also, the connection of the two words is slightly paradoxical,” says Rafal Bujnowski and adds: “For this exhibition of mine, the strong cubistic background of Jiri Svestka Gallery has inpired me a lot. My paintings feature many references of this period in the history of art.”
The catalogue attempting to reproduce the paintings of Rafal Bujnowski will form an important part of his Prague exhibition. The word “attempting” was used by the artist himself, as the paintings from the “Lamp Black” series are drawn and constructed by light and thus, not a single accurate photo can represent them. The artist sees the most valuable feature of the paintings to rest in the fact that they are created by light and by the image escaping from itself. “Something interesting happened in my studio and I am exhibiting it to share this finding,” he explains. The essence of Bujnowski’s work is the typical question of the social status of art and artists in contemporary world – who is the artwork intended for and who is it inspired by? In his current work, he deliberately frees himself from artistic subjectivity and individualism in order to let the “utilitarian mechanisms” take course: he is fascinated by the contractual nature of art. His latest work could be interpreted as an original model which could help man avoid the conventionality of his own ideas. The author comments: “Everybody should work and be paid for it. Without work, man disappears. An academy is a universal school, which would teach you manual skills you can use in various professions. The most important thing, though, is working responsibly and putting your heart into it: an artist should beautify his immediate environment, as it is useful for both his environment and for himself.”In his work, the young Pole always endeavours using the painting and technological phenomena for depiction of something concrete. He is a believer that art should be about something. His favourite technique is oil on canvass, yet he is also tempted by combining this traditional medium with digital photography and with video. Every new work is a challenge for Bujnowski. He is, amongst other things, motivated by the feedback from those to whom his art is intended, his audience and the critics. As opposed to many other authors, Bujnowski, when looking back at his work, views it as a continuous testimony of life. His art is driven by the following creed: “To be able to do what I think still has to be done in art.” The relativism and uncertainties in the art world is documented by Rafal Bujnowski’s words regarding his plans for the nearest future: “At the minute, I am only working on the “Lamp black” project; I haven’t, unfortunately, got anything else. After this exhibition, I will be unemployed, only shortly, I believe. It is an incredibly stressful way of life..." Yet the gallerist Jiri Svestka sees the future of the young artist in a brighter light. “When I visited his studio in Cracow this spring, I had the feeling that I saw an artist, who created art pieces which could turn the wheel of art. Bujnowski is an excellent painter with an authentic approach to his work. He does not repeat successful themes, but always tries something else and new – which is very likeable“, he spells out his zeal for the young artist. "The comparison I would make is to the world known German painter Gerhard Richter, who Bujnowski reminds me of. So far, no one has been able to follow up on his creativity, yet Bujnowski is succeeding very well in it. I hope my gallery could help him achieve an international success and I am happy we can present such high-quality art to the Czech public,” concludes Svestka.
Rafal Bujnowski was born in 1974; he lives and works in the Polish town of Cracow. He studied architecture at the Polytechnic School of Cracow and graphic art at the Art Academy at the same place. He started presenting his work to the public already in the course of his studies and, to this date, he has completed several individual and group exhibitions. His work had been exhibited far beyond his home Poland – in Paris, London, Munich, Berlin and New York. In 2005, he was awarded with the “Future of Europe Prize.”
The exhibition “Lamp Black” is organised with the support of the Local Council of Prague 1 until February 9, 2008. For more information please contact: Lucie Pavlaskova - email: lucie@pavlaskova.cz, tel. +420 775 755 066 Jiri Svestka Gallery The Jiri Svestka Gallery is the Czech Republic’s leading private gallery promoting international modern and contemporary art. It is the only Czech art gallery to represent Czech art at prestigious international art fairs: thanks to its high quality, it has earned its position amongst the world’s most reputable galleries. In the Czech Republic, Jiri Svestka Gallery introduces young Czech and foreign artists to a wide audience.
"Lamp Black"
December 14, 2007 - February 9, 2008
/Prague, December 13, 2007/ Official opening on December 13 shall launch the series of works by Polish painter Rafal Bujnowski entitled “Lamp Black” at Jiri Svestka Gallery. “The title of the exhibition is in fact the name of an oil paint, which reflects light when used in appropriate way, and which I have been using when painting my most recent paintings. Also, the connection of the two words is slightly paradoxical,” says Rafal Bujnowski and adds: “For this exhibition of mine, the strong cubistic background of Jiri Svestka Gallery has inpired me a lot. My paintings feature many references of this period in the history of art.”
The catalogue attempting to reproduce the paintings of Rafal Bujnowski will form an important part of his Prague exhibition. The word “attempting” was used by the artist himself, as the paintings from the “Lamp Black” series are drawn and constructed by light and thus, not a single accurate photo can represent them. The artist sees the most valuable feature of the paintings to rest in the fact that they are created by light and by the image escaping from itself. “Something interesting happened in my studio and I am exhibiting it to share this finding,” he explains. The essence of Bujnowski’s work is the typical question of the social status of art and artists in contemporary world – who is the artwork intended for and who is it inspired by? In his current work, he deliberately frees himself from artistic subjectivity and individualism in order to let the “utilitarian mechanisms” take course: he is fascinated by the contractual nature of art. His latest work could be interpreted as an original model which could help man avoid the conventionality of his own ideas. The author comments: “Everybody should work and be paid for it. Without work, man disappears. An academy is a universal school, which would teach you manual skills you can use in various professions. The most important thing, though, is working responsibly and putting your heart into it: an artist should beautify his immediate environment, as it is useful for both his environment and for himself.”In his work, the young Pole always endeavours using the painting and technological phenomena for depiction of something concrete. He is a believer that art should be about something. His favourite technique is oil on canvass, yet he is also tempted by combining this traditional medium with digital photography and with video. Every new work is a challenge for Bujnowski. He is, amongst other things, motivated by the feedback from those to whom his art is intended, his audience and the critics. As opposed to many other authors, Bujnowski, when looking back at his work, views it as a continuous testimony of life. His art is driven by the following creed: “To be able to do what I think still has to be done in art.” The relativism and uncertainties in the art world is documented by Rafal Bujnowski’s words regarding his plans for the nearest future: “At the minute, I am only working on the “Lamp black” project; I haven’t, unfortunately, got anything else. After this exhibition, I will be unemployed, only shortly, I believe. It is an incredibly stressful way of life..." Yet the gallerist Jiri Svestka sees the future of the young artist in a brighter light. “When I visited his studio in Cracow this spring, I had the feeling that I saw an artist, who created art pieces which could turn the wheel of art. Bujnowski is an excellent painter with an authentic approach to his work. He does not repeat successful themes, but always tries something else and new – which is very likeable“, he spells out his zeal for the young artist. "The comparison I would make is to the world known German painter Gerhard Richter, who Bujnowski reminds me of. So far, no one has been able to follow up on his creativity, yet Bujnowski is succeeding very well in it. I hope my gallery could help him achieve an international success and I am happy we can present such high-quality art to the Czech public,” concludes Svestka.
Rafal Bujnowski was born in 1974; he lives and works in the Polish town of Cracow. He studied architecture at the Polytechnic School of Cracow and graphic art at the Art Academy at the same place. He started presenting his work to the public already in the course of his studies and, to this date, he has completed several individual and group exhibitions. His work had been exhibited far beyond his home Poland – in Paris, London, Munich, Berlin and New York. In 2005, he was awarded with the “Future of Europe Prize.”
The exhibition “Lamp Black” is organised with the support of the Local Council of Prague 1 until February 9, 2008. For more information please contact: Lucie Pavlaskova - email: lucie@pavlaskova.cz, tel. +420 775 755 066 Jiri Svestka Gallery The Jiri Svestka Gallery is the Czech Republic’s leading private gallery promoting international modern and contemporary art. It is the only Czech art gallery to represent Czech art at prestigious international art fairs: thanks to its high quality, it has earned its position amongst the world’s most reputable galleries. In the Czech Republic, Jiri Svestka Gallery introduces young Czech and foreign artists to a wide audience.