Continuum exhibition explores masculinity at Everard Read Gallery Johannesburg
Polish-born Cape Town-based artist Andrzej Urbanski explores the complex dualities of masculine power in his latest exhibition, Continuum, at the Everard Read Gallery in Johannesburg.
Polish-born Cape Town-based artist Andrzej Urbanski opened his exhibition Continuum at Everard Read Gallery Johannesburg on November 13.
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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Urbanski explained that the art bug bit him when he was eight-years-old. “I visited galleries and museums with my parents who were also creatives. In high school I pursued the subject seriously through photography, graphic design, and painting, but my dream was to become a fine and contemporary artist.”
Becoming a father gave the artist a renewed perspective on masculinity. He delves into the complex dualities of masculine power, 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. “This body of work, which I began around December or January last year, took me eight months to complete.”
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The artist’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.
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.
Urbanski concluded that he hoped people who visit the exhibition, which runs until December 12, not only leave with smiles on their faces, but also with memorable experiences from his work and installations.
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