Nieudane próby znikania 2019

Lech Jankowski made this 21 x 30 cm drawing, titled "Nieudane próby znikania" or "Failed Attempts at Disappearing," using graphite on paper. Born in 1956, Jankowski’s work resonates with the socio-political atmosphere of Poland during and after the communist era. This context brings themes of identity, suppression, and the desire for personal and artistic freedom to the forefront. The wispy graphite strokes conjure a sense of ethereality and the ephemeral nature of existence. The drawing evokes a dreamlike, liminal space where the solid form of the table contrasts sharply with the dissolving figures above. The figures who are caught between presence and absence, suggest the struggle to maintain identity against forces of erasure. This work might be seen as a poignant reflection on the artist's personal struggles, or perhaps, a broader commentary on the collective experience of a society grappling with visibility and invisibility. It leaves us to consider the emotional weight of failed attempts and the quiet persistence of memory.