Dariusz Romanowski

Romanowski is entirely self taught. He sees his work as a continual progression by pushing the boundaries of what the form itself can achieve.

He does this by exploring, evolving and progressing key themes in his work to achieve different effects of depth, technique, light or form by experimentation with different materials and styles. Working in series allows him to iterate, explore and develop a key theme. Each series is originated by the initial visualisation of a specific number of works in a range of different media which are wholly specific to that series

Painting one series opens new areas of interest and possibilities which then leads on to the theme explored in the subsequent series. On first glance the links between each series may not be immediately apparent. However when the series are viewed sequentially, the linkage and progression of key themes, concerns and techniques to the next is clearly evident.

Themes of progression of the treatment, representation and eventual destruction of the human form are reflected in his figurative works. The disintegration of flesh, form and features caused by age [Women], the abstraction and destruction of faces, limbs and bodies through death [Bodies], the movement, distortion and fragmentation of features and faces over time [Heads].

In Landscape series he explores the unfettered and unplanned compositions nature creates itself. He uses a raw a heightened palette and undiluted, unmixed colours to evoke the vibrancy of sunlight on plants, trees and flowers. In the Snow scenes series and in some of the later Landscapes the usage of foliage, leaves and branches builds a sculptural effect into the paintings. This allows lighting to become an actor in its own right on the paintings, changing and evolving the work depending on the form and placement of the lighting. Shadows are not painted but created by the light. This effect can be seen to alter the colours, the depth and the appearance of the works either subtly or drastically depending on the type and placement of the lighting with a resultant change in the mood and impact of the work. Shadows are cast on walls, floor and ceiling . The women pictures too, due to their thickness change with light, softening or hardening the image or even distorting it in an uncomfortable way dependant upon the time of day.

By using different types of materials in these works, the subject of the work becomes part of the work itself. The work therefore is not only a representation of the subject, it is created of the subject. This heightens the authenticity and impact of these works, the viewer becomes immersed and part of the painting itself. The Snowscene is created in and of itself, in a circular but dual reality.

The powerful effect layering paint has on a flat surface to create a three dimensional form is most evident and was originated in in the Women series. This effect seeks to create a monumental, forceful and heavy weight to the form of the Women as they extend out of the painting, their flesh, clothes, hair, skin and features given depth and life through the thick layering of paint, usage of different and varied painting and brush stroke styles and incorporation of materials such as cloth in the work.

In the Heads series he returned to the Women as subjects exploring further the themes of abstraction of form first explored in the Bodies plunging into the abyss series. The Heads are studies of the effect of movement, abstraction and distortion on the faces of the Women. With the Heads, as with other works he works directly and rapidly, forming the image without models or sketches, with an immediate yet ordered chance of brush strokes. This immediacy of brush stroke represents and mirrors the actual disintegration of flesh and features and gives the works an undiluted purity; like the first brush stroke on a blank wall.

In his work the viewer decides what the meaning or the story is in each image and does not give descriptive titles or a backstory. He wants the works to speak for themselves and it is up to the viewer to interpret what they see. Equally, the subjects of all his work are anonymous, the women in the Women series are not real people.

Themes of anonymity and isolation present and reoccur often throughout his work, as do themes concerning the banality and simplicity of every day life, the vibrancy, joy and colour of nature as seen in sunlight and the frailty and beauty of the human form, rendered in character by the very act of its disintegration and fragmentation over time and the inevitability of its complete destruction in death.

Dariusz Romanowski was born in Lodz, Poland. He settled in England at a young age and currently lives and works in London.