Prof Andrzej Gieraga

Head of All- plastic Education Department (1990-2005). Author of Strzeminski Contest
for students of the Academy of Fine Arts in Lodz.
Founder of the 261 Gallery.

Interview:

Do you think that illustration could function as a separate work of art?

Freedom and frankness are conditions which allow creativity to come into being.
Creation is a very delicate process which does not succumb to expectations,
much less to control. An artist (using his talent, imagination, sensitivity) has
freedom of choice of his own form of expression with the use of visual means.
He can express his attitude to nature of the world by unreserved independence
of thinking, for example: in form of classical painting or artistic grotesque, caricature,
illustration. Especially the latest form of expression, very synthetic, has many
followers due to the dialogue with contents of text, which in this genre gets piquancy.
Illustration often replaces verbal comment, it complements or displays text.
It is a punch-line. Apt and concise form, supported by illustration, does not need
any explanation. It acts directly. The only condition is workshop (very wide and
rich), it guarantees appropriate choice and evaluation of means of expression.
Currently many well known classic artists successfully pursue this genre,
being a little beside the main trend. But there are also those who make
this genre the basic form of their artistic expression. But there are also those
who make this genre the basic form of their artistic expression.

Could your works illustrate literature?

Yes, my works have been used to illustrate poetry (graphics, drawings).
I do not see any counterindications to it. It is only a matter of decision and selection.

Prof Andrzej Gieraga

Born in 1934.
Artistic education: Artistic studies – Academy of Fine Arts in Lodz - Fabric
and Fashion Design Faculty (1965-1970). 1971 - diploma with distinction.
Since 1971 has worked in Academy of Fine Arts. Associate professor since 1990,
zwyczajny - 1992. Vice-rector for Teaching (1987-1990). Head of All- plastic
Education Department (1990-2005). Author of Strzeminski Contest for students
of the Academy of Fine Arts in Lodz (1983). Founder of the 261 Gallery (1992).
Painting Section vice-chairman of Polish Artists Association Main Board (ZG ZPAP)
(1978 - 1980). President of the Polish Artists Association in Lodz (ZPAP).
Forms of artistic realization: paintings, drawings, graphics.

Exhibitions, individual actions (selection):
1975 – Paintings, drawings, graphics, Modern Art Salon, Lodz, Art. Centre,
Rzeszow, BWA, Zamosc BWA, Zielona Gora;
1977 – Zapiecek Gallery, Warsaw, BWA, Bialystok;
1980 – Lubuska Land Museum, Zielona Gora;
1984 – Arsenal Gallery, Poznan;
1986 – Archaeological Museum, Gdansk, District Museum, Chelm;
1987 - BWA, Opole, Gallery of Sculpture, Warsaw;
1989 – Zapiecek Gallery, Warsaw, Polish Cultural Institute, Sofia, Silesian
Museum, Katowice;
1991 - Pomeranian Dukes' Castle, Szczecin, BWA, Cracow;
1992 - Rotunda BWA, Sopot;
1995 – Modern Art Museum, Radom;
1999 – Studio Gallery, Warsaw;
2004 – Klinger Gallery, Gorlitz, Werkstatt-Gallery Gundis und Heinz Friege,
Remscheid, paintings and graphics, Academy of Fine Arts- 261 Gallery, Lodz.
1972 – 6th Polish Modern Paintings Festival, Szczecin;
1973 - World Print Competition, San Francisco;
1973 – 6th Golden ‘Grono’, Zielona Gora;
1973 - First British International Drawing Biennale, Middlesborough;
1974 - Artyści Ziemi Łódzkiej, Szeged;
1978 – 4th All-Poland Exhibition of Young Graphics, Poznan;
1979 – 9th Golden ‘Grono’, Zielona Gora;
1981 - 35 Jubilee Winter Salon, Radom;
1982 - 2eme Convergence Jeune Expression, Paris;
1985 – Polish Artists Open Air Workshop, Capitol of Arts,
1986 - Pittura Contemporanea Polacca, Naples;
1986 - Art Cologne 20, Koln;
1987 - International Painting Festival, Cagnes-sur-Mer Museum
1995 – Concrete Results, Munich;
1998 - Constructive in Poland from Wiligrad Museum, Freiburg;
1998 - Constructive in Poland from Wiligrad Museum, Freiburg;
2003 – Geometric Concrete VI, Museum of Constructive and Concrete Art,
Amersfoort;
2004 - 20 open air workshops (geometric), Katowice, Poznan, Elblag.
Prizes:
1972 – Polish Modern Paintings Festival, Szczecin – main prize;
1973 – Golden ‘Grono’, Laureates of Festivals and Contests - medal
with distinction and Press Prize;
1973 – 3rd All-Poland Young Graphics Exhibition, Poznan - Minister of Art
and Culture. Prize;
1974 – Polish Modern Art Festiwal, Szczecin – Critics Prize;
1975 – Golden ‘Grono’, Laureates of Festivals and Contests - First Prize;
1977 - Golden ‘Grono’, Laureates of Festivals and Contests - First Prize;
1979 - Golden ‘Grono’, Laureates of Festivals and Contests - Grand Prix;
1980 – Minister of Art and Culture 3rd degree Prize for special achievements
in methodological and educational field.
1985 - Premio Internazionale Apollo Musagete - Talla medal;
1987 - Minister of Art and Culture 2nd degree Prize for artistic creativity
and achievements in paintings and for creating new fine arts concepts
in Polish Modern Art;
1990 – Minister of Art and Culture 1st degree Prize for special achievements
in methodological and educational field.
1997 – 3rd Polish Graphics Triennal – The Mayor of Katowice Prize .
Works in collections (selection):
National Museums, Gdansk, Poznan, Szczecin, Warsaw;
Museum of Art, Lodz;
Silesian Museum, Katowice;
District Museums, Bialystok, Bydgoszcz, Chelm, Kalisz, Koszalin, Olsztyn,
Rzeszow, Tarnow, Zamosc;
Museum in Lubaczow;
Lubuska Land Museum;
History of the City of Lodz Museum;
Museum of Modern Art, Radom;
Museum of Contemporary Art, Sao Paulo;
Pushkin Museum, Moscow;
Talla City;
Sammlung Vass, Budapest;
L’Europe des Graveurs, Grenoble;
Public Library, Grenoble;
Culture Centre Marlet, Beratzhausen;
Batuz Foundation Sachsen Altzella;
Mondriaanhaus, Amersfoort;
K.F.W. - Bankgruppe, Berlin, Frankfurt/Main;
Studio Art Centre, Warsaw;
and in private collections in Poland and abroad.

/ interview: J. Mazerant, IY 04.2005 /