Interview with Ryszard Miłek
He lives and works in Poland. He has presented his art at more than 150 individual shows and participated in more than 140 collective exhibitions in Poland, Europe and the USA. He is a member of the Polish Pastel Artists’ Association, a member of the Union of Polish Artists and Designers and an honorary member of the Pastel Society of America, NY.
He has organised and participated in numerous plein-air meetings in Poland and abroad. He was a curator of a famous exhibition of Józef Czapski’s works held at BWA [Art Exhibition Office] in Nowy Sącz (1991) as well as shows of Nejad – a prominent Turkish abstract artist. His numerous articles on art criticism have appeared in Gazeta Krakowska, Dziennik Polski, Gazeta Wyborcza, Tygodnik Powszechny and in catalogues accompanying exhibitions. He has taught at all levels of the educational system. He was a manager of Mała Galeria [Small Gallery] in Nowy Sącz, President of Pro Art Foundation, Secretary and Vice President of the Polish Pastel Artists’ Association. His works have supported numerous charity campaigns such as “Chcę pomagać [ I Wish to Help]”, “Bliźniemu swemu [For Thy Neighbour]”, “Ziarnko gorczycy [Mustard Seed]”, “Sursum corda”, “Stowarzyszenie rodzin zastępczych [Foster Family Association]” and dozens of individual events helping people in need. His works can be found in private and public collections in Poland, USA, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Norway, Finland and Australia.
Could you please introduce yourself and tell us how you started in the arts? and your first experience in art making?
My name is Ryszard Miłek and I am Polish artist specializing in oil pastel painting. I felt strong energy that drove me to be an artist in the early childhood. I was always interested in art and I chose artistic high school and after that I chose the history of art and I got the Masters Degree in Art.
I have always observed the world of visible things, architecture, nature, human. I try to find a meaning and deeper sens of this what I can see and observe. I have always studied carefully the art of other painters, romantic paintings, abstraction, impresionism and expressionism. I try to express the spirit and fundamental vision of this what surrounds me.
How would you describe yourself and your artwork?
I strongly process the world I see and I make painterly this what is essential for me, I use elimination, simplification and I bring out elements that make the visible world stop existing without them. I use colours arbitrarily using poetics of abstraction and expression and I show by painting language this what is essential and eye- catching. The most important mean of expression is using of chiaroscuro, contrasts and oppositions. My art is the deepest expression of feeling of the energy of life.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I derive my inspirations from everything what surrounds me, what I can see, feel and touch and my consciousness embraces. My inspiration is the whole world, nature, humans behaviour, humans energy and the pulsing current of life.
What emotions do you hope the viewers experience when looking at your art?
I wish people to be touched by experiencing my art. I want make people to consider who they are, what happens around them, how the life and world influence on them, on their condition, thinking, emotionality.
When do you know that an artwork is finished ?
I know that picture is finished when it is created, not every picture that is painted is finished, not every picture that is finished is painted as Charles Baudelaire once said. You must work on picture in endless unspecified time and in uninterrupted flow of processing, modifications and transformations.
What has been the most exciting moment in your art career so far?
The most exciting moments in my artistic career was the 1st prize during the Pastel Biennale in Nowy Sącz, Poland in 1996. Thanks to this award I became a recognizable artist who was among 10 top selling artists in Poland. Also, my awards from the London Art Biennale and Chianciano Art Biennale, Italy are very important for me.
How long does it take to produce one work?
It takes me, depends on picture, a few days but the basic sketch is drawn quite quickly. Later I go deeper and I consider different elements of picture, colours, composition, dynamic of abstraction and expression.
What exciting projects are you working on right now?
I am working on the series of pictures with characters, dramas and tensions between them, relations between them, intimacy and repulsion. If it comes my future plans I will surely exhibit. In September I will take a part in the International Pastel Biennial in Nowy Sącz, Poland. I also have plans to cooperate with galleries and be a part of various artistic events.
Do you have any upcoming events or exhibitions we should know about?
If it comes my future plans I will surely exhibit. In September I will take part in the International Pastel Biennial in Nowy Sącz, Poland. I also have plans to cooperate with galleries and be a part of various artistic events. For now the most exciting event will be in July. My artwork will be a part of the "European Collection" on the castle in Dzików. Before the Second World War there was a famous collection where we could find artworks of Rembrandt, Van Dyck, Veronese and many other great Polish artists like Malczewski or Kossak. The present collection is a continuation of that which was created in 19th century in Poland by aristocratic family of Tarnowscy. It is a big honor to be a part of this collection because it contains the best artists both from the past and present times.
Email: pastelmilek@wp.pl
Website: www.ryszard-milek.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milekryszard/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryszardmilekart/
