Kazimierz Mikulski, What future lies ahead?

oil, canvas, 60.5 x 50 cm,
Signed on the back: What Future Ahead of Us? K. Mikulski, Krakow 1991.

Image reproduced in: Kazimierz Mikulski. Painting, Piano Nobile Art Gallery, Kraków 1993. Masters of Polish Contemporary Painting. Kazimierz Mikulski, Poznań 1999, p. 52, il. 51; Kazimierz Mikulski painting, Warsaw 2000, p. 110.

Kazimierz Mikulski is considered one of the most consistent representatives of Polish metaphorical, even surrealist, poetic painting, saturated with a large load of lyricism. the artist in his work associated various elements suggested by the imagination, dreams, rather than reality. In his paintings, the simplicity of decorative forms that fill the built-up backstage space of imaginary, intimate "inner landscapes" is captivating. The unreal character of the representations is emphasized by the sharp, precise drawing and flatness of the color palette. The balanced color scheme of the paintings gives them a lyrical, sometimes melancholic tone, breaking erotic subtleties, often emphasized by the titles.

Kazimierz MIKULSKI (1918-1998)
Painter, actor, director, stage designer. Beginning in 1938, he studied painting at the Cracow Academy under the direction of Pawel Dadlez and Kazimierz Sichulski. Then, during the occupation, he continued his studies at the officially operating Kunstgewerbeschule under the tutelage of Friedrich Pautsch. After the war, in 1945-46, he studied acting and directing at the Drama Studio at the Old Theater in Cracow. Shortly after liberation, he was a member of the Young Artists Group, and in 1957 became a member of the then reactivated Krakow Group. Like other artists gathered in both groups, and above all around Tadeusz Kantor, who led them, he participated in exhibitions of modern art(Krakow 1948-49, Warsaw 1957 and 1959). For many years he collaborated with the "Cricot 2" theater. In 1948-1979 he worked as a stage designer and art director of the State Puppet and Mask Theater "Groteska" in Cracow. The artist's works are in museum and private collections in Poland and abroad.