Astigmatic painting – the author’s concept is based on the definition of astigmatism – a physical defect of the eye, meaning the distortion of visual acuity. As a result, the seen image is blurred. In Owczarek’s opinion, this effect resembles piecing shapes and lines out. The artist places an outline around objects and figures, referring to the feeling of blur. This multiplied form of outline creates a kind of “color spectrum”, where the process of viewing of the image is similar to looking through a prism.

Another crucial point in Owczarek’s paintings is the idea of a “negative”, an image imprinted on a plastic film, from which a photographic print (positive) is then created. The author implements reflection as repetition or multiplication of the outline. In this way, “astigmatic painting” refers to multidimensionality, showing the multiplied shapes, rhythms them and then deforms them in order to show something different: the dimension of time, space and movement.

Mariusz Edward Owczarek – artist, visual artist, cultural animator living in Elbląg, a graduate of the University of Warmia and Masuria in Olsztyn, Faculty of Art. Professionally associated with the Y Młodzieżowy Dom Kultury (Youth Culture House), where he works as a curator of the Galeria Na Wyspie (Gallery on the Island). Member of the Soundlab music group associated with Galeria EL. In 2010 he received a scholarship from the Mayor of Elbląg.

He made his debut in 2011 at the Salon Elbląski (Elbląg Salon), in 2013 he took part in an open-air convention organized by the Klaster Biznesu Kultury BizAr (BizArt Business Cluster of Culture). In 2018 he presented his works at an exhibition at the Adam Sewruk Theatre in Elbląg. In the same year, he took part in the collective exhibition of Marian Michalik National Competition for Young Artists in Częstochowa.

? Vernissage: 29.10.2020, from 10am to 8pm (opening day)

? Lasts until: 25.02.2021

Curator: Joanna Mierzejewska