Author: pavszymanskiart

Current research issue - Hypnotic Repetition Pav Szymanski Painter Biography: I am a fine art painter and video artist with 30 years of experience. My current research project is based on creating visual responses to my observations of people, who are suspended in the vacuum of hypnotic repetition. I have travelled the world interviewing and recording individuals, who genuinely struggle with their existence in the context of their survival. I have gathered substantial primary sources and evidence from destinations across the globe. Perhaps, the most significant research findings were from Haiti and Myanmar and resulted in the production of the most spectacular paintings. They have inspired me to develop new and innovative ways of working and experimenting with image making, which are appropriate to the subject. They combine the best of traditional achievements and the power of contemporary thinking and deep reflection. I work full time as a programme coordinator for Art & Design at a large institution offering a broad range of FE and HE qualifications. I am also an external examiner for the UAL and AQA. Artist Statement: Through my projects I feel that I discover my inner fears, longings and re-evaluate my uncertainties. My work seems to be an attempt to explore and question by metaphorical presentation my response to the hidden truths of the world. The essence of the value of these works is in their inherent meaning and an atmosphere, which manifests itself in the dusk of the space portrayed, thus the light may appear, where the hue of colour fulfils clarity and sounds with harmonious melody. https://hypnoticrepetition.com/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOq7lHQlrOnKozGz95Hq2CA?view_as=subscriber https://www.instagram.com/pavszymanski/?hl=en https://spark.adobe.com/page/fQ9VytzHNpWq9/
Posted on

Punhana Dreams About A Family

Punhana means in Azeri a ‘secret’. I have got to know her as she became my guide in Azerbaijan. She was diligent, perceptive and intuitive. She made a very positive impression on me. Her outgoing personality was enhanced by a very natural look, reserved, introvert, beautiful young face with long hair and no makeup.

Despite her excellent education and current employment as an English language teacher, she told me that her main aspiration was to establish a restaurant with healthy and vegetarian food. She insisted that her main ambition was to become a manager of such an establishment.

We spent a fair amount of time together wandering around art galleries, museums and other areas of cultural significance. I felt privileged to be able to invite her for a drink and a dinner. This provided an excellent opportunity to open up and talk.

Having gained a little of her trust and friendship, I started to ask her probing questions about her uncertainties and explored the nature of her anxieties. I was eager to find out what she was really waiting for. What were the most precious dreams and desires in her life.

The true answer arrived with time.

Her main dream is to marry a man and start a family.

Punhana revealed her deepest secret.

She also told me that her faith is to accomplish this desire before the age of 25. ( in less than three years time).

I have, subsequently, started with the process of developing a range of ideas for further exploration of this avenue. To extend on primary sources, I have asked her to send me some photographs of her family and other images from her past.

Secretive Punhana with her dream family.

I would also like to set my line of questioning in the broader context of political, cultural and religious issues, which will have a substantial impact on my visual response.

Posted on

Heydar Aliyev Center

The form of the building of this artistic centre is based on the signature of the president of the country. The architectural design looks totally different from every possible angle and the overall effect is highly futuristic and very overwhelming.

The most distinct features are the fluidity of form and ambience of the space created.

The content of permanent exhibitions is dedicated to glorification of the achievements of the dictatorship as well as evidencing the historical and cultural heritage of the nation.  This is also supported by a number of displays by internationally renounced artists, including to my surprise, Tony Cragg and Anish Kapoor.  I would have never dreamt to think that both artists would have knowingly agreed to exhibit their work at the ‘cathedral’ of totalitarianism.

The key exhibitions also include a collection of cars owned by President Aliyev, a timeline of his family in power and a display of a range of memorabilia of personal and national significance.

I must admit that I felt quite guilty to enter this building and support the ambiguous ethos, purpose and function of this questionable monument. However, my curiosity was stronger and, on reflection, the exhibitions were very well curated and presented.

Overall, the main element of my learning could be summarised by the following thoughts:

The central principle of abstract art and non-figurative representations is the refusal to imitate visible reality in the process of creation. Instead of copying nature and recreating the surrounding world, the toolset of artistic creativity, such as composition, colour, texture, line and form themselves become the object of art, main interest and the subject matter.  Furthermore, the idea of the form replaces the subject.

All of work, which I have produced so far, consists of a bizarre conglomerate of abstract elements and those, which are somehow recognisable.  I am definitively interested in ambiguity through the creation of non-representational compositions and supporting their meaning and visual communication with readable components and fragments.  This combination allows me to create both a new space and new understanding.

Posted on

MOMA Baku

This extensive gallery is absolutely inspirational! Both, the architecture and curation of the work provide an exciting inside into a range of developments in the contemporary art of the Balkan region. It draws from numerous influences of the Persian Empire, long standing cultural and religious traditions and, finally, Russian occupation. The impact of war in Nagorno Karabakh and a conflict with Armenia is also clear.

Due to the international profile of exhibits, I have also started to recognise some of the artists, whose work was on display in Tbilisi.

The work is very expressive with a strong narrative element. My head is buzzing with new ideas.

Posted on

Bagrati Cathedral

This is a record of viewing of a range of exciting icons and religious portraiture at the cathedral in Kutaisi.

Both, their compositions and colour schemes have given me some ideas for possible progress with my project. I will try to experiment with metallic paints and, perhaps, gold leaf.

Posted on

Art 23 Genesis

What a great evening!

All finalists painted live in front of an audience.

There was a lot of interest in my work and I have received plenty of encouraging comments.

This is a portrait of a young, beautiful and idyllic-looking Haitian girl
playing with butterflies. I met her during my travels through Haiti,
where most people survive on less than 1$ per day.
She is totally oblivious of her origin.
She does not understand, why she is consistently ostracised and
bullied. Her skin is white, and her eyes are baby blue. She definitively
stands out!
She has never heard of Poland. Her home is on a little island called
Petit Goave.
She is a descendent of Polish legionnaires, who were sent to Haiti by
Napoleon to suppress an uprising of slaves. However, having realised
the extent of exploration and abuse, the Poles changed sides and
fought in support of the oppressed indigenous people. Subsequently,
most of them were punished and slaughtered. A few lucky ones
managed to disperse to the islands.

Posted on

Genesis Success

I have been selected to take part in a live painting performance at the Old Biscuit Factory on Friday, 4th April 2019.

I am currently working on preparation for the event.