Jarosław Kukowski
About
Jarosław Kukowski is a Polish contemporary painter born on April 11, 1972, in Tczew, Poland. He began painting in his youth and made his public debut in 1994 at the Gdansk 'Stara Laznia' Gallery. His works explore moral and social themes, including death, elapsing time, and human nature, often aiming to provoke deep emotional responses from viewers. Critics identify three phases in his career: early works featuring dramatic symbolism, deformed figures, and surreal landscapes known as 'non-dreams' or 'undreams'; a middle phase of 'frescos' depicting time's passage with layered, deteriorating surfaces; and recent 'undreams' marked by surrealism, irony, and provocation. In 2001, some works were removed from an exhibition due to audience backlash.
Surrealism, photosurrealism with trompe l'oeil effects
Selected Exhibitions
- Louvre Paris
- Zachęta National Gallery of Art, Warsaw
- Królikarnia branch of National Museum
- Salons Rempex Auction House
- Museum of Galicia
- Castle Voergaard
- Art Expo New York
- Galeria PRO ARTE, Zielona Góra
- Hopfenmuseum, Wolnzach
- Fabryka Sztuk, Tczew
- Muzeum Miejskie, Wrocław
Awards
- Badge of Honor 'Merit for Polish Culture'