Exclusive interview with Maciej Kowalski – Artist
NY Glam: Tell us a little about yourself and your career beginnings.
I was born in 1969 in Jarocin, a small town in western Poland. I live in US Pennsylvania since 1999. I was always drawing, as long as I can remember. When I was a kid I would draw different cartoons characters, later on I switched to comic books and movies.
Drawing is somewhere in me, inside of me… I don’t really know where it comes from. I just know for sure that I had always felt the immense need to draw, create something on paper and later on, on canvas.
NY Glam: What projects are you currently working on?
As of now I`m preparing paintings and drawings together with another artist Wojciech “Pascal” Zytkiewicz for an exhibition in art gallery in Bydgoszcz, Poland. Hopefully it will happen in the spring next year.
NY Glam: What art do you most identify with?
I don’t really identify with any particular art movement.
NY Glam: What themes do you pursue?
I`m trying to be thematically diverse. Some paintings and drawings are emotional. Some are presenting different events or characters or creatures. Sometimes I will make something funny just to uplift peoples moods and release the tension. Usually I don’t have a plan. Most of my work is created spontaneously… it comes out of me in the moment of creating.
NY Glam: What’s your favorite art work?
Hm… it’s hard to tell. There is so much wonderful art out there. However one of my favorite paintings for sure, great classic piece of art is “Battle of Grunwald” by Polish master painter Jan Matejko. I have been adoring it since I was a kid.
NY Glam: Tell us about some of your recent exhibitions. What memorable responses have you had to your work?
I noticed that people like my work and are curious. They would ask where do I get my inspirations. They receive my work being very different from everybody else’s. They would tell me what they see in my drawing or painting, which I find very nice and up lifting.
NY Glam: Tell us about one of your projects which you are very proud of.
I don’t really have any particular one… all my pieces are important to me.
Creating each one of them gave me a lot of emotions.
NY Glam: What does “being creative” mean to you?
Being creative means a constant pursuit of something new, not getting stuck in one theme. It means to be constantly perfecting oneself and breaking down any barriers.
NY Glam: What are you trying to communicate with your art?
I would like to attract people as much as possible to the art of painting and drawing. I would like to make people curious and stir their emotions. I would like to have people looking at my work to find something there for themselves… something that maybe will make them reflect upon or smile.
NY Glam: What role does the Artist have in Society?
I think an artist should be able to give people something out of the ordinary, something to reflect upon, something that awakens their imagination, makes them curious and brings joy. Whether it is with music, film, theater or painting.
NY Glam: What are your thoughts on being an artist in today’s world?
Today’s world… hm… it is a tough topic. Personally to me art, creating is an escape and rest from everyday life, it is like some kind of a meditation. I think that in general other people receive art in the same way. Many people, after being exposed to art, are finding creativity within themselves and are starting to create, and it is beautiful.
NY Glam: How has painting influenced you life?
Painting gives me peace. I feel deep inner peace during the process of creating. It is only me and white canvas. It’s hard to describe… I simply need it and I do it. How did it influence my life? I don’t know… It is a part of my life.
NY Glam: What art movement or artist would you say influences your work most?
Surrealism, that’s for sure. I also have to mention Zdzislaw Beksinski, great Polish painter, the eternal master for me. I also have to say that music – rock, blues, jazz – plays a very important role in my work and my life in general.
NY Glam: What can we expect from you this year?
There will be a lot of drawings and paintings. I hope I`m not going to run out of ideas. I`m planning to keep doing what I`m doing. Maybe something new… We`ll see
NY Glam: Can you share with us three favorite things about your city/culture?
Definitely, one of my most favorite is my 730 years old hometown Jarocin, with its old market, city hall, stunning Radolinski Palace – they are just few attractions of that town. Of course I have to mention the oldest polish rock music festival which is happening every year and it is one of its kind.
NY Glam: Where can everyone keep up with you to learn more? …social media… website
Yes, I have an Instagram maciej275kow
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