Ferdynand Szypuła @ Rondo Sztuki Gallery in Katowice

On my last visit to Poland I had a pleasure to visit by happenstance a very interesting retrospective exhibition of works by previously unknown to me Polish artist and printmaker Ferdynand Szypuła, held in Rondo Sztuki Gallery in Katowice.

Satelita 1969

Szypuła was born in the 30s and studied Fine Art Printmaking and Applied Graphics. In the 60s he was working for Polish Television as a camera operator and than in the 70s as set designer, when he got himself a name Mr Blue Box. In 1972 he began close affiliation with the Organizing Committee of the International Printmaking Biennial in Krakow, as well as Integrafia in Katowice, at which he is a regular curator, jury member and exhibition designer. He works in the media of graphic art and poster design.

Tarpany 1969

The exhibition is divided in different parts, so the viewer can observe the transformations that Szypuła’s work has undergone with the passage of his creative time. From woodcut and linocut, through serigraphy to, most recently, digital print. The early works are full of grotesque and already in them one can recognize his fondness of everyday objects. Szypuła treats them equally to his human subjects, portraying their beauty and wondering about hidden meanings. His latest digital works, opposite to earlier poetic still life prints, present cosmic space visions.

Muzykant 1965

The most fascinating and intriguing for me is the use of rich texture in his prints. Looking at them from a beginning printmaker’s point of view one can only wonder: how did he achieve this? How can I do this? I like as well his very tiny prints, almost inch-by-inch, yet presenting razor-sharp very detailed image. I admire Szypuła’s work for the supreme craftsmanship and distinguished poetics.

Rycerz 2005

Panopticum 2005