Jacek STASZEWSKI (1933-2013), Polish Horse III, 2018

acrylic, canvas; 30 x 30 xm;
Signed, dated and inscribed on back of frame: JACEK STASZEWSKI / "KONIK POLSKI III" / 2018 / ACRYLIC ON CANVAS.
Jacek Staszewski's paintings and drawings, as well as his theoretical reflection, reveal that characteristic feature of artists debuting around the early 1990s of the need to address an absolutely fundamental problem: Where does art come from? What is creativity? What is the role of tradition and classical means of artistic expression in the face of the emergence of digital media? The time of Staszewski's debut was the moment when the end of painting was once again announced, critical art invaded, curatorial art was born and neoconceptualism reigned. New media then entered the art scene with a big bang. No longer just film and photography, but especially computers and Internet art. Like many others, primarily painters, printmakers and sculptors, Staszewski also had to define himself in the face of the new. This generational reflection has been perpetuated in his painting and drawing, revealing itself in the need to justify, even perhaps to a subliminal extent, the concept behind the creation of a painting. Staszewski builds his works in a painting-line opposition. He counts lines ("This is not a digital print" series drawings), creates linear arrangements on the "windows" of landscapes from Wolin.... These paintings and drawings of great beauty are subject to the necessity of conceptual justification. His painting is a record of a certain process of intellectual analysis of the reasons for its creation. Jacek Staszewski was born in 1965. He studied at the Faculty of Graphic Arts from 1987 to 1992, graduating with honors in painting from Jerzy Tchórzewski and in poster design from Julian Palka. Currently leads the Drawing Studio for years II-V at the Faculty of Graphic Arts. He is the associate dean of Graphic Arts. He has held many solo and group exhibitions. Jacek Staszewski is a professor of art.