Surrealism

Surrealism is an artistic movement that emerged in the early 20th century, mainly in the 1920s in France. Its goal was to break the boundaries between reality and dreams, logical thinking and irrational impulses. Surrealist art was an attempt to show what is hidden in the subconscious, by referring to dreams, imagination and randomness.

Surrealist artists often draw inspiration from dreams and the subconscious, trying to convey the irrational, unreal, and often disturbing. They use a technique of creating without conscious planning, which is supposed to allow the expression of the deepest thoughts and feelings, free from logical control. There are often unexpected combinations of objects or figures that at first glance have nothing in common, but together create a new, surreal reality. Surrealists often distort familiar forms and figures, which is intended to evoke a sense of anxiety and confusion in the viewer.

Representatives of surrealism - examples of Surrealist artists:
- Salvador Dalí: One of the most famous Surrealists, known for paintings such as The Persistence of Memory with melting clocks.
- René Magritte: Belgian artist who often played with perception and reality, creating paradoxical images such as The Son of Man with an apple covering his face.
- Max Ernst: He created both paintings and collages, often using frottage and decalcomania techniques that allowed for random, organic forms.

Surrealism as a movement extended beyond painting to include literature, sculpture, photography, and film. It continues to inspire contemporary artists who attempt to push the boundaries of traditional art and explore new dimensions of reality.

Poland has a rich tradition of surrealism, and several Polish painters contributed to the development of surrealism in Poland, combining elements of fantasy, symbolism and deep reflection on the human condition in their works. They also contributed to the development of this movement on the international stage. Here are a few of them:

1. Zdzisław Beksiński (1929-2005)
Beksiński is one of the most famous Polish surrealist painters. His works are characterized by a dark, disturbing atmosphere, full of apocalyptic visions, strange landscapes and grotesque figures. Beksiński avoided precise interpretations of his paintings, allowing viewers to read their content personally. His work is often associated with the themes of death, destruction and transience.

2. Jacek Yerka (born 1952)
Yerka is a contemporary painter who has gained international recognition for his surrealist works, combining fantasy elements with a precise, realistic style. His paintings often depict unreal, dreamlike landscapes in which ordinary objects gain new, surprising meanings. Yerka draws inspiration from both reality and dreams, creating compositions full of details and unexpected combinations.

3. Tomasz Sętowski (born 1961)
Sętowski is a Polish painter, graphic artist and illustrator whose work is described as "magical realism". His paintings, full of fairy-tale characters, fantastic landscapes and architectural visions, are an expression of the artist's rich imagination. Sętowski creates surreal worlds in which reality intertwines with fantasy, and viewers are invited to travel deep into the imagination.

4. Witold Pruszkowski (1846-1896)
Although Pruszkowski was active long before the emergence of the formal surrealist movement, many of his works exhibit features that can be considered precursory surrealist. His paintings often depict characters from Polish literature, legends and fairy tales, as well as scenes full of symbolism and mystery. Pruszkowski combined realistic painting techniques with fantasy elements, creating works with a mystical, dreamlike character.

5. Rafał Olbiński (born 1943)
Olbiński is known for creating paintings and posters that are characterized by a surreal character, full of symbolism and metaphorical content. His works often show a world full of paradoxes, where the impossible becomes possible, and reality is presented in an ironic and surprising way. Olbiński gained international fame, especially as a creator of posters, for which he received many prestigious awards.

6. Mariusz Lewandowski (1960-2022)
Lewandowski also deserves a place on this list, due to his dark, surreal paintings, which have gained recognition around the world, especially in metal music circles.

Mariusz Lewandowski was a contemporary Polish painter who gained international fame for his distinctive, surrealist paintings. He was born on July 31, 1960, and died on July 15, 2022. His works were characterized by a dark, melancholic atmosphere and were often inspired by apocalyptic and fantasy themes. Lewandowski created in a style that can be described as a combination of surrealism, magical realism, and dark art. His paintings often depict monumental, mysterious landscapes, figures resembling deities or mythical creatures, and scenes full of symbolism. His works are characterized by a special attention to detail and the use of contrasts of light and shadow, which add drama and depth to them. Mariusz Lewandowski gained wide recognition not only in art circles, but also in the world of music, especially among metal bands. His paintings were used as album covers, which brought him even greater popularity. One of the most famous works is the cover of the album "Mirror Reaper" by Bell Witch, which has become iconic in the world of doom metal music. His works remain a clear example of contemporary surrealist art, capable of drawing the viewer into a world of imagination and deep emotions. Mariusz's paintings often evoke strong reactions, forcing reflection on the essence of human existence, death and transcendence.