- Jobs
- Open Calls
- Events
- Learning
- More
- SUBMIT
Joanna
Name:
Joanna
Country where you live:
- United Kingdom
City where you live:
- london
Website:
Instagram:
Statement :
Joanna’s recent paintings from ‘Turquoise’ series were created during the lockdown and time of isolation.
In her colourfully decorated flat filled with plants, and isolated from family and friends, her surroundings and her partner became her only world, more intensely felt and observed than ever before. The results of these heightened observations are these paintings - the ordinary but touching intimate scenes of their everyday life enveloped by light, colour, patterns and textures of their shared home-cum-studio- the other character in her paintings.
She paints herself as isolated but brush in hand absorbed in her task, or asleep. In another pose, she is dressed in a white dress, inward looking - is she a bride, but where is the groom? In both paintings she is away from the world in her own thoughts or dreams.
Her husband Jarek is in one painting the romantic image of a young hero, just rising in the morning, full of energy and optimism. He is unencumbered by fear or responsibility, the sun shines, the world before him is his to explore.
In another he is hunched over, dressed in a cheerful yellow jacket, his face is drawn, moody, he appears isolated perhaps in a war with his own thoughts.
In all these paintings, the room pushes itself forward, vibrant, bursting with colour, teeming with thoughtless plants, intent on their own growth. It will not disappear into the background.
'Since I can remember people have always been the most fascinating inspiration for my work. My work are a reflection of my inner dialogue with the person who I am portraying and attempts to show the uniqueness of the individual, their natural environments and their emotions. The use of bold and contrasting colours is especially important for me. I am drawn to artists such as Gauguin, Henri de Toulouse- Lautrec, Egon Schiele, Matisse, Lucian Freud, Frida Kahlo who give a voice to human fragility and strength whilst at the same time combining their fascination with psychology and the narrative of everyday life.'
In Yellow
'In Yellow', oil and acrylic on canvas, 100 x 100 cm, 2020
Portrait of the artist’s husband Jarek Radecki.
The artist doesn’t have to look far to find a sitter. She often uses herself as a subject of her work or her husband who is an artist too and understands the importance of this stage of work.
Part of Joanna’s iconography emerges from her thoughts based on an observation and personal experience. Despite that she often paints a person in their ordinary surroundings there is a touch of romantic mystery in her paintings.
The colour it’s a key in describing her model’s personality and character. Also the composition of the scene and, not always real place where she captures the person.
The painting do not directly evoke meaning, but rather suggest the hidden reality in emotion, a chance, a narrative. The tangibility of the composition allows the viewer to project their own feeling and meaning onto the work, creating their own individual interpretations.
Siesta
'Siesta', oil and acrylic on canvas, 100 x 100 cm, 2020
Joanna’s painting from ‘Turquoise’ series was created during time of isolation. She uses herself as a subject capturing some ordinary scenes from every day life. She takes many photos of herself focusing on a light, colour, pattern and texture in the surroundings of her home and the studio.
She is fascinated by human form but also by psychology of the relationship with other person.
'My big pleasure is to observe the light and play with it, find a good composition and translate the reality into painted emotions. I am definitely not driven by realistic representation, I am looking for a particular atmosphere in my painting by using bold palette of colours, strong and expressive brush strokes and sharp contrast between dark and light shapes. I don't plan my work, I rather experiment with different ideas by repainting some of the elements of the scene.'
In the studio
'In the studio', oil on canvas, 100 x 100 cm, 2020
'In the studio' - a third painting from ‘Turquoise’ series created during lockdown capturing a self portrait of the artist. Pilarczyk finds inspiration in ordinary scenes from every day life . She takes many photos of herself focusing on a light, colour, pattern and texture in the surroundings of her home and the studio.
She is fascinated by human form but also by psychology of the relationship with other person.
Her paintings are rich in character and vibrant colour. She paints using expressive brush strokes, playing with thin layers mixed with impasto. The artist’s goal is to capture a special atmosphere of a moment and thoughts, by using bold, contrasting colours or soft ,pastel washes of paint.
In white
'In white', oil on canvas, 100 x 100 cm, 2020
'In white' is a self portrait of the artist who captures herself wearing a white wedding dress, a silver and turquoise necklace and a colourful turban on her head. The artist's thoughts are focus on her husband and their relationship. They both spend a lot of time together during lockdown experiencing 'honeymoon' days but also moments of quiet and reflection. They both as artists are inspired by each-other and by their very close surroundings. Joanna uses a bright colourful pallet, strong patterns and central composition in her self - portrait. The woman is sitting on the carpet in her bright living room, she seems to be frozen in her position but at the same time there is a feeling of motion. She thinks about her wedding day, passing time and her future. The artist again plays with a different textures and contrasting colours. She uses an expressive brushstrokes to create a movement and energy in the scene.
Dreaming Flowers
'Dreaming Flowers' , oil on canvas, 100 x 100 cm, 2020
'Dreaming flowers' - first painting from ‘Turquoise’ series created by the artist during first lockdown in London. It is a portrait of her husband - Jarek Radecki who also is an artist. In first stage of the work on painting Pilarczyk takes many photos of her partner focusing on a light, colour, pattern and texture in the surroundings of their home and the studio. In this painting she captures her husband as the romantic image of a young hero, just rising in the morning, full of energy and optimism. Pilarczyk is fascinated by human form but also by psychology of the relationship with other person. Part of her iconography emerges from her thoughts based on observation, readings and personal experiences. There is an echo of romantic mystery and melancholic feeling in her portraits.
Her paintings are rich in character and vibrant colour. She paints using expressive brush strokes, playing with thin layers mixed with impasto.
Bio:
Joanna was born in 1980 in Gubin, a Polish town on the borders of Germany.
She started painting and drawing since the age of five and became very popular in school helping other children create. She was then sent to Art College in 1995 in Zielona Gora and after five years she gained a Diploma from the faculty of Painting as the best student in the class. In 2003, she went to study Visual Arts where she gained her MA degree in Fine Arts (specialising in oil painting)in 2008.
Arriving 8 years ago in London from her native Poland, a country she describes as "grey and non multicultural", Joanna fell in love with the city immediately. Amazed and entranced by many cultures and the vibrant life of the city, she took her sketchbook everywhere, indiscriminately and discreetly recording people on the streets, in parks and cafes. Fleeting moments, everyday lives were rapidly captured in her sketchbooks, as she made her first responses to "being hit by the exciting lifestyle and different, interesting people from all over the world."
As she grew more settled, in her new environment, Joanna began to paint oil portraits of new acquaintances and friends within the artist community of North London. In these paintings, the person is set within their surroundings, in a pub, a garden or at their place of work, and always with a vibrant palette of colours.
Exhibitions
Every year, she takes part at Art Plain-Airs organised. Last Plain Air took place in a small town near Paris. After 10 days of painting all participating artists had an exhibition in a beautiful, huge Renaissance palace, showcasing the best paintings created during their stay.
Solo exhibition of her Diploma with distinction, when she presented 10 portraits in oil. The exhibition took place in Fermentownia Gallery in Zielona Gora in 2008.
2010 Exhibition in DNA Gallery in Wroclaw.
Since moving to London, the artist has taken part in 14 exhibitions in various places including the Candid Arts Trust, The Hive and Autonomous Gallery.
