Dauka 10 1987

Małgorzata Serwatka made this painting, Dauka 10, with, what looks like, charcoal and acrylic paint, and there’s an immediacy to it that makes you think about the process of artmaking. The way the colors are layered, with a limited palette, builds a rich, moody atmosphere. Look closely, and you’ll see how the white paint is applied in thick, curving strokes, almost like coils, giving a sculptural feel to the otherwise flat surface. The charcoal adds depth, with smudges and scribbles suggesting movement and energy. In the lower part of the image, there's this cat-like form, rendered with quick, gestural marks. Serwatka's work reminds me a little of Leon Golub, in the sense that both artists embrace rawness and imperfection. But where Golub is all about brutal confrontation, Serwatka invites you into a more introspective, dreamlike space. It’s a conversation that unfolds over time, an invitation to look and keep looking.