Continuum explores duality of masculinity at Everard Read Gallery in Johannesburg
Andrzej Urbanski's new exhibition, Continuum was influenced by him becoming a father, exploring the complexities of the dualities of masculinity.
Polish-born, Cape Town-based artist Andrzej Urbanski explores the complex dualities of masculinity in his latest body of work Continuum at Everard Read Gallery Johannesburg in Rosebank.
In the exhibition, Urbanski extends his reputation for angular and vibrant abstract compositions, with a quiet shift towards gentleness that marks a significant evolution in this new series.
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The artist explained that he has been interested in art since the tender age of 10. “My parents used to take me to a lot of theatre performances, galleries, and museums. In high school, I started to pursue it seriously, because my dream was to become a professional fine artist, a contemporary artist.”
Becoming a father gave the artist a renewed perspective on masculinity, inviting him to delve into the complex dualities of masculine power, and its capacity for both strength and tenderness.
By introducing curved forms and muted colours to his recognised high-frequency elements, Urbanski creates a dialogue between the two contrasting forces. The interplay of opposites speaks to a visual language that is both dynamic and contemplative, allowing the viewer to feel how the softness balances the hard.
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Urbanski explained that the body of work took him eight months to complete, and he hopes art enthusiasts take something away from his exhibition. “For me the most important thing is that they leave with a smile and some type of memory from the exhibition.”
His steel sculptures begin as small-scale cardboard models or digital sketches. These works then evolve through processes of cutting, sequencing, and assembling, with each stage presenting unforeseen challenges that shape the final work.
The exhibition’s paintings are created in an equally meticulous manner. Canvases are constructed with curved or angular edges, while layered mixtures of oils, acrylics, spray paint, and drying solutions are carefully applied to produce textures ranging from glossy to matte, smooth to tactile.
The exhibition will be live until December 12.
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