The Essence of the Self
by Laura La Wasilewska
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Dear Laura, Thank you for this interview with HocTok. Could you please tell us something more about when you decided to work on your series, “The Essence of the Self”? Is it possible that the Essence of You is visible in it? I created a series of pictures and drawings with the common title "The Essence of the Self" (also titled "I love, I like, I respect") over a period of 2 years. There are over 60 works presenting contemporary artists as well as classics, Polish, American and artists of other nationalities, among them Jeff Koons, Kehinde Wiley, Julie Mehretu, Andy Warhol, Jean Michel Basquiat, Neo Rauch, Paula Rego, David Hockney, Jan Matejko, Igor Mitoraj and Frida Kahlo. |
photo: courtesy of the artist |
The Essence of the Self was given to me by the editorial staff of the prestigious British magazine After Nyne Magazine (Claire Meadows - editor). They were the first to publish several paintings from the new series in the early 2017.
"The Essence of the Self" is intriguing, deep and captivating in title and as a series. Physical resemblance as well as their mental and spiritual character is what I desired to capture. I fell in love with art history at the age of 12 and I have been fascinated by it ever since. My hobby of reading many books about painting techniques, history of painting and the art market, is finalized in this series. This is how I chose to paint my self-portrait.
You have paintings, drawings, illustrations, design, photography and you are also an art critic. How important is each of these genres to you?
Every kind of art and activity I am involved in is equally important to me. They are complementary. If I had to choose today, the most important would be painting and drawing.
Regarding my role as an art critic / art curator it results from a natural desire to generate interest of contemporary art among the Polish society. The group that takes priority in my opinion is that of people aged 25 - 65.
I am not worried about the artistic education of children because Polish museums and art institutions meet the high standards of the art world. Activities for the youngest are organized in a very interesting, professional and thoughtful way. In addition to traditional forms, all applications, multimedia guides, educational games and games are introduced in a sensible way.
I think that our time is full of contradictory opinions. Each opinion seems to be the only one that matters and the most important. It is up to artists to take on a great role in building awareness. This is a common responsibility that expands in other fields as well. For example, in the world of gastronomy big name Chefs are not only about cooking and the quality of their creations that is supposed to amaze their guests. They also raise awareness in their societies.
I do not like the division of We vs Society, because the only division is into people who are aware of their sensitivity and those who have not discovered it, yet.
How does it feel living and working in the USA and Poland? What are some of the lifestyle features that make you feel comfortable exhibiting your talent in both countries?
In Poland, the art market is growing slowly, but it’s far from the standards of Western Europe or the USA. Hence, it is difficult to assess. On the other hand, the American market is one of the largest. Most art galleries do not accept new artists. I am standing in the middle because I want very much that the art market in my native country develops by expanding and raising the bar for professional artists. I had some small presentations in the USA. I believe I will be able to show my work to a wider audience in major galleries. So far, I am very thankful and happy about the attention and publications in magazines and online portals in the USA.
"The Essence of the Self" is intriguing, deep and captivating in title and as a series. Physical resemblance as well as their mental and spiritual character is what I desired to capture. I fell in love with art history at the age of 12 and I have been fascinated by it ever since. My hobby of reading many books about painting techniques, history of painting and the art market, is finalized in this series. This is how I chose to paint my self-portrait.
You have paintings, drawings, illustrations, design, photography and you are also an art critic. How important is each of these genres to you?
Every kind of art and activity I am involved in is equally important to me. They are complementary. If I had to choose today, the most important would be painting and drawing.
Regarding my role as an art critic / art curator it results from a natural desire to generate interest of contemporary art among the Polish society. The group that takes priority in my opinion is that of people aged 25 - 65.
I am not worried about the artistic education of children because Polish museums and art institutions meet the high standards of the art world. Activities for the youngest are organized in a very interesting, professional and thoughtful way. In addition to traditional forms, all applications, multimedia guides, educational games and games are introduced in a sensible way.
I think that our time is full of contradictory opinions. Each opinion seems to be the only one that matters and the most important. It is up to artists to take on a great role in building awareness. This is a common responsibility that expands in other fields as well. For example, in the world of gastronomy big name Chefs are not only about cooking and the quality of their creations that is supposed to amaze their guests. They also raise awareness in their societies.
I do not like the division of We vs Society, because the only division is into people who are aware of their sensitivity and those who have not discovered it, yet.
How does it feel living and working in the USA and Poland? What are some of the lifestyle features that make you feel comfortable exhibiting your talent in both countries?
In Poland, the art market is growing slowly, but it’s far from the standards of Western Europe or the USA. Hence, it is difficult to assess. On the other hand, the American market is one of the largest. Most art galleries do not accept new artists. I am standing in the middle because I want very much that the art market in my native country develops by expanding and raising the bar for professional artists. I had some small presentations in the USA. I believe I will be able to show my work to a wider audience in major galleries. So far, I am very thankful and happy about the attention and publications in magazines and online portals in the USA.
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As an art critic, what are your thoughts about current trends in the visual arts world?
Thank you. This is a very interesting, but extremely difficult question. I will try to answer. I am a liberal conservative in art (smiles). For many years painting and drawing have been invariably the most valuable for me.
Performance art, installations or video-art intrigue me for an instant when I get an idea, a game, a joke. If pornographic, violent, religious content is beyond my own limits of sensitivity and consciousness, I leave the room, although I try not to give up so easily and study the source, the priorities, the idea behind it. This is a type of art I cannot bring home with me. Unfortunately, the emotions that most people present in such art are very uncomfortable for me, not pleasant. Hence my reception is short.
The white canvas is like a card on which each artist can save his or her individuality like fingerprints, emotions, thoughts, colors.
What are some of your upcoming projects?
I will certainly continue the series "Lucian Freud IN PROGRESS", "The Essence of the Self / I love, I like, I respect." I have now started working on the closed cycle of "Naples Heritage" - 7 watercolors dedicated to the city of Naples in Italy, its history, charms, culinary arts and secrets. Memories of my first visit to this unusual city this year are still with me.
What is your main source of inspiration?
The world of a man absorbs me constantly. His world, emotions, secret thoughts. The environment in which he lives, the details of his individual appearance, his aura. I am very motivated by travelling as I meet new people and experience new places. Art is present in museums of these cities.
And what is the main message you want to transmit through your artworks?
It does not matter what means we use, but what intentions we have. What counts for me are beauty, elusiveness, mystery, harmony, written on canvas, papers.
Genius loci and trying to capture the state of mind and beauty in the individual treatment of each person I portray.
You’re always involved talking about art on TV, radio, print and internet publications. What are the main art related topics that European and American audiences show most interest in?
The American audience is definitely interested in the Polish art market and the Polish audience in the American art market and American artists. That's obvious. What is unknown is interesting.
In Poland, the art market is still developing. The artistic environment is easy to assess. Not only as an artist, but also as art observer, it is clear to figure out who are the young and talented artists with the most presence in the media.
What do you think about the role of social media in public discussions about art and its relevance in today’s busy realities?
I think social media nowadays has the greatest impact. There are multitudes of platforms with plenty of discussions about art. They open the horizons for the arts and they are available to every social group including an enormous number of young people who follow numerous actions, projects. Art is the third power in the world.
The relationship between culture and business does not concentrate exclusively on money. The creation has been inscribed in the human genetic code since the dawn of history.
It is a great pleasure to follow the dialogue and the correlation of prestigious art institutions opening up and sharing the limelight with contemporary art.
Thank you for the interview, the presentation of my art and interesting questions.
Thank you. This is a very interesting, but extremely difficult question. I will try to answer. I am a liberal conservative in art (smiles). For many years painting and drawing have been invariably the most valuable for me.
Performance art, installations or video-art intrigue me for an instant when I get an idea, a game, a joke. If pornographic, violent, religious content is beyond my own limits of sensitivity and consciousness, I leave the room, although I try not to give up so easily and study the source, the priorities, the idea behind it. This is a type of art I cannot bring home with me. Unfortunately, the emotions that most people present in such art are very uncomfortable for me, not pleasant. Hence my reception is short.
The white canvas is like a card on which each artist can save his or her individuality like fingerprints, emotions, thoughts, colors.
What are some of your upcoming projects?
I will certainly continue the series "Lucian Freud IN PROGRESS", "The Essence of the Self / I love, I like, I respect." I have now started working on the closed cycle of "Naples Heritage" - 7 watercolors dedicated to the city of Naples in Italy, its history, charms, culinary arts and secrets. Memories of my first visit to this unusual city this year are still with me.
What is your main source of inspiration?
The world of a man absorbs me constantly. His world, emotions, secret thoughts. The environment in which he lives, the details of his individual appearance, his aura. I am very motivated by travelling as I meet new people and experience new places. Art is present in museums of these cities.
And what is the main message you want to transmit through your artworks?
It does not matter what means we use, but what intentions we have. What counts for me are beauty, elusiveness, mystery, harmony, written on canvas, papers.
Genius loci and trying to capture the state of mind and beauty in the individual treatment of each person I portray.
You’re always involved talking about art on TV, radio, print and internet publications. What are the main art related topics that European and American audiences show most interest in?
The American audience is definitely interested in the Polish art market and the Polish audience in the American art market and American artists. That's obvious. What is unknown is interesting.
In Poland, the art market is still developing. The artistic environment is easy to assess. Not only as an artist, but also as art observer, it is clear to figure out who are the young and talented artists with the most presence in the media.
What do you think about the role of social media in public discussions about art and its relevance in today’s busy realities?
I think social media nowadays has the greatest impact. There are multitudes of platforms with plenty of discussions about art. They open the horizons for the arts and they are available to every social group including an enormous number of young people who follow numerous actions, projects. Art is the third power in the world.
The relationship between culture and business does not concentrate exclusively on money. The creation has been inscribed in the human genetic code since the dawn of history.
It is a great pleasure to follow the dialogue and the correlation of prestigious art institutions opening up and sharing the limelight with contemporary art.
Thank you for the interview, the presentation of my art and interesting questions.