Magdalena Laskowska
Born in 1985 in Warsaw, studied at the Italian Institute of Warsaw University from 2004-2006, and the Faculty of Painting of Warsaw’s Academy of Fine Arts (2006-2011). Diploma with honours in Prof. Stanisław Baj’s painting studio, annexe in Prof. Zygmunt Januszewski’s illustration studio (2011). Grand Prix award-winner of the 21st All-Polish Review of Young Painting “Promotions” in Legnica (2011), Ewa Tomaszewska Award for the Best Warsaw ASP Diploma (2011); finalist of the Siemens Award contest (2011), “My France” visual arts competition (2011) and the New Picture / New Look competition at the University of Arts in Poznań (2012). Her individual painting exhibitions include: Zagadka Coffeebar, Warsaw 2011, U Gallery, Warsaw 2011 and Verge of Reality Art Gallery, Legnica 2012. Participant in several collective and thematic exhibitions in Poland and Germany (including e.g. Contemporary Polish Art, Stuttgart 2011, Sharp Tendencies, Legnica 2012, Sport Artbox, Milano Gallery, Warsaw 2012, Sjesta, aTAK Gallery, Warsaw 2013), Mazowiecka Art Festival, Warsaw 2011, 10th International Art Workshops, Pieńków 2011.
Deals in painting and illustration.
Magdalena Laskowska asks a number of bold questions about the meaning of painting in the time of photography, film and video, in the era of various electronic means of visual representation. Her way of recording what is around us expresses the need to see the world through traditional methods of landscape painting. The artist paints landscapes seen from the window of her Ursynów flat, during her walks and bicycle rides. She changes the perspective, building a painting reality which is different from the natural state. Laskowska’s atmospheric, unreal landscapes, enchanting with composition, subtlety and refinement of the colour scheme, make us realize the sense of nature’s existence, remind us about its significance, value, energy. After all, our life is different, better, in favourable natural surroundings and cheerful spaces. Nature allows us to contemplate silence, to rest, relax. The artist’s paintings emanate mysterious moods, a sense of harmony and stability. They encourage a peaceful, thoughtful look at various places, city space, nooks and crannies, gardens, architectural constructions, meandering rivers. Magdalena Laskowska’s painting visions do not relate or document. The artist performs a mellow, dreamy interpretation of places which surround us, which build our space, support us in the process of living everyday lives. She gives them a new meaning. Her paintings fascinate and mesmerize for a long time.
Jerzy Brukwicki
