May 2-3 2025 “Feminine Energy”: Joanna Ursa Sztyrak

On May 2-3, 2025, we invite you to the Temple of Art and Light for the collective exhibition “Feminine Energy”!

One of the artists whose works will be on display is Joanna ‘Ursa’ Sztyrak. Rumor has it that you will also be able to meet her at the Pearl! 🙂 Do you want to learn more about her, her painting and photography? Below are a few words from her.

Joanna Ursa Sztyrak | 1991

“I am a painter, art conservator, photographer. From my earliest years nature has been the axis of my life and art. In presenting it through my eyes I try to include in it my safe spaces, delights, enchantments, but also states of relief from chaos, pain and difficulties. I have devoted a large part of my work to Slavicness, which I see in the intertwining of folk beliefs and attempts to translate reality in my own way with nature”.

“Due to the fact that I come from the east of the country, it is the characteristic south-eastern nature that is for me the most complete image of Slavic lands and beliefs. Slavic themes in my painting are afterimages. Images of what I saw as a child when I blinked. These are early dreams, fascinations that have remained with me to this day. This is an encounter with the beliefs of Slavic ancestors, which I delved into and an attempt to include them in a painterly allegory. I often present the negative of a single element of the image, most often a centrally growing tree, while while the other elements remain in their proper colors. This allows me to metaphorically present the duality of the worlds – the waking and the afterlife (Nawia)”.

“The motif of leafless branches, which I reach for in all my works, is extremely close to me by analogy to the nervous system. Having struggled with multiple sclerosis for many years, in this almost meditative branching on the canvas I find a lot of relief and peace, which is so much needed in the process of calming down the disease. My painting is largely a synthesis of my experiences”.

“Over a decade ago, a certain man robbed me of my sense of security and freedom. The thickets of a real, natural forest, meeting wild animals or blending into the forest floor gradually heal this trauma. Although it is a laborious and thorny process, including these good moments in art is invaluable. Sometimes I enclose my intentions in a small twig, sometimes in vast Mist, and still other times in the movement of bird wings. I give meaning to every tree, blade of grass, bird. I strive to touch Silence, I try to tread carefully in it. In the apparent darkness I discover mysticism, peace and harmony. I paint with Fog, which wraps like the nicest blanket against the excess of the modern world. I try to paint coziness. Fog, the silence of the morning, the clang of cranes. Peace, connection with nature, harmony of flowing energy and gratitude to the surrounding natural world. Mystery and mysticism.

And maybe a pinch of magic”?

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