Airing the Air 2019

Lech Jankowski created "Airing the Air," which is 39 x 84 cm, through an intuitive artmaking process. Looking at the surface, I see layers of texture built up through washes of color, with a base palette of browns, grays, and blacks that seem to vibrate with subtle notes of pink and lavender. The paint application is fascinating; Jankowski has really worked this surface! It’s built up with thick passages, but also scraped back and thinned out in areas, giving the impression of something ancient, like a fresco or a weathered stone wall. The three shapes at the top of the painting, kinda like simplified trees, are rendered in a clean white, which cut through the murk and add a calming element. This piece reminds me of the landscape paintings of Agnes Martin, where simple forms and muted colors create a sense of peace and contemplation. "Airing the Air" encourages us to slow down, look closely, and find beauty in the process of seeing itself.