Jarosław Jaśnikowski – interview with the painter

Michał Cylwik: Good morning, Mr. Jarosław. It is a great pleasure to introduce one of the most recognizable surrealist artists. The paintings created by Jarosław Jaśnikowski are known and appreciated all over the world. Of course, I could ask how you do it, but that seems a bit too trivial… I know that reaching such perfection was not easy.

That’s why I’d like to know what painting means to you?

A warm welcome to you.

Painting is still an incredible adventure for me; it’s the meaning of my life, a mirror revealing the hidden corners of my soul, a gateway to another world. But it’s also a source of quite decent income for me.

Every artist, at the beginning of their journey, looks up to someone who has made a huge impression on them. How did Dali’s work influence you?

At the beginning of my painting journey in the 1990s, both the work and persona of Dali had quite a significant influence on me. However, over time, this influence faded in favor of a fascination with the art of Wojtek Siudmak, then Zdzisław Beksiński, and later a few other artists who completely reshaped my understanding of art. Today, I consider Salvador Dali’s work to be rich in terms of creativity and imagination, but lacking in painting technique, with his biggest flaw being significant mistakes in color combinations. Still, Dali was one of the pioneers who paved a major path for global surrealism… and for that, he deserves praise.

For many people, art is an escape to another, magical realm. It soothes not only the eyes but also the senses. How does the surreal world differ from the real one?

For example, you can have a little fun with the laws of physics, bend them this way or that. You can play at being a Micro God and create a few intriguing realities, but we also have to remember that if beings from Those worlds happen to look at us through some window, they might be just as surprised. The law of disbelief—and fascination—works both ways.

Is painting the only form of art you pursue?

I believe every artist is open to various forms of self-expression. I used to write some poetry, even attempted a short story—though it wasn’t very good—but I’m tempted to return to writing someday. Astronomy, or even quantum physics, is also a beautiful kind of art in which one can lose themselves endlessly.

Fame often has an ambiguous ring to it, and many creators don’t embrace it. What does an artist feel when their works are exhibited in prestigious galleries?

Painters have the comfort of knowing that it’s usually our paintings that become famous, not us. So teenagers don’t squeal when they see us or beg for selfies, paparazzi don’t send drone squadrons after us, and tabloids keep their distance. We can stroll to the bakery for rolls without a second thought, pick our noses at red lights, and just enjoy life.

Painting can be a way of life. Is it possible to combine business with art?

These days, it’s almost a necessity. Many young artists, their heads full of dreams, graduate and are thrown into the ruthless gears of the market—only to be crushed. They fail because they haven’t received the right education, because no one at their schools prepared them for this. Whether we pay taxes or not, every artist is like an independent entrepreneur, and no one gives us food for free. In the beginning, it’s a fierce struggle for survival, and everyone gets knocked down—no exceptions. Everyone pays a price, sometimes a terrible one, but those who endure… they can end up with a pretty great life.

Please don’t take this as a question about the competition:)) Which contemporary painters does Jarosław Jaśnikowski consider outstanding?

At a certain point, when you truly recognize your own worth and have confidence in what you do, competition ceases to exist… there are only friendships. Polish surrealism boasts a remarkable number of outstanding artists, and I wouldn’t be exaggerating to say we form a global elite. Perhaps it’s something in our national character, maybe that utopian romanticism that drives us to throw ourselves, brushes in hand, in a fanatical frenzy onto our canvases, onto our worlds, without a trace of fear. I don’t know… maybe that’s it. The elite of Polish surrealism, in the broadest sense, is made up of at least twenty, maybe thirty names, and practically every one of them has a distinctive style. That’s why we complement each other so well.

Many of today’s artists use digital technology to assist their creative process. This leads to highly creative and original works. What does Jarosław Jaśnikowski think about combining digital editing with traditional easel painting?

I absolutely have nothing against it—if the result of this symbiosis meets the standards of a good work, meaning it has well-matched colors, a proper composition, and conveys an interesting message, then why not?

A quick note for those surprised – Yes! Painting is based on certain principles, something that is sometimes not taught at Art Academies, which often pride themselves on the misguided rule of “Art for art’s sake.”

Is magical realism the main theme in your life, and would Jarosław Jaśnikowski like to live in such a world?

If I really wanted to, I’d probably already be living there;-) But I think I prefer being a tourist, a storyteller. I visit Alternative Worlds and share what I’ve seen there. That’s enough for me—and besides, they don’t have sweet peas like ours, and their strawberries can be quite unruly.

Thank you very much for the interview and for taking the time for LuxuryBlog.pl. I will be following your work with great interest.

Thank you as well

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