Biography

Mariusz Lewandowski - Polish surrealist painter, born in 1960 in Działdowo, Poland. He died on July 15, 2022 in Górowo Iławeckie. Then he lived and worked in Warmia and Masuria. In the privacy of his studio, he painted oil on canvas, the subject matter of which often goes far beyond the limits of the human mind.

Looking at the recent years of the career of Polish painter Mariusz Lewandowski, it is hard to imagine how difficult the beginnings of his journey were. A journey that was long, slow, and winding. He was not one of those artists whose talent was discovered in childhood and refined through numerous painting workshops or successive stages of artistic education. Mariusz had no formal artistic education, and economic circumstances forced him to learn a more profitable trade. However, his patience, calmness, faith, and humility were eventually recognized after many years.

He took his first steps in art in the quiet of his home. As a child, Mariusz decorated the covers of old books with his own drawings, but it was painting that became his true passion. He painted at night when others were asleep, as it was the only time he could find peace and quiet in a house full of people. Unfortunately, the light he turned on at night met with his father’s disapproval. The young artist did not give up and created whenever he had the opportunity. And the materials. His first paintings, often depicting still lifes, animals, landscapes, portraits, female nudes, or copies of famous works, were usually gifts for his family. But that was not enough for him. Although his professional path completely diverged from his passion—he became a mechanic of agricultural machines—he continued to practice his craft.

For some time, Mariusz earned a living working in a metalworking company. However, the world of art slowly began to weave itself into his daily life. Initially, he painted signs for local business shop windows, and together with his wife, he wrote funeral ribbons. He painted at night. To improve, he made copies of famous artists' paintings, was inspired by works of art from around the world, and in the process, honed his own style.

For a long time, his work remained outside the interest of the broader public. Mariusz Lewandowski first sold his paintings near the castle in nearby Lidzbark Warmiński. Over time, he began to travel further with his art—he could be found at the Old Town in Olsztyn or during Mazurian festivals in Węgorzewo and Mrągowo. In addition to oil paintings, he sold small landscapes painted on wooden slices, with his whole family—his wife and sons—helping in their preparation. It was not an easy time for a budding artist—the all-day waiting for customers and the night painting of new works were often challenging. To continue creating, he gave some of his paintings to a store selling art supplies, receiving paints and canvases in return.

But Mariusz was patient. Supported by his loved ones, he never gave up on his passion, believing that the best was yet to come. Through these long years, full of humble work on his craft, Mariusz began to create increasingly distinctive and recognizable paintings.

The early 21st century brought a huge change in the artist’s life—with the help of his sons, he began to publish his works online. They could be auctioned on a Polish auction site, which allowed his art to reach a much larger audience and gave the painter a moment of respite between nights filled with creating new pieces. Over time, the number of fans of his work grew. Enthusiasts of surrealism, fascinated by his art, would sometimes post Mariusz Lewandowski’s paintings on art-related online forums. His paintings also began to appear in galleries, increasing his reach even further. Thanks to the internet, his work was noticed by the American metal band Bell Witch. The moment when his painting Essence of Freedom appeared on the cover of their album Mirror Reaper became a turning point in his artistic life. The world recognized the humble, hardworking dreamer.

Mariusz Lewandowski passed away suddenly in 2022, leaving his art eternally alive. Rest in peace Master.