Gray Paravento 2018

Lech Jankowski made this piece, Gray Paravento, using paint to explore a world of subdued tones and uncertain forms. The process here feels like a slow reveal, as if the image is emerging from the depths of the canvas. There's a real material presence to this piece. The surface is built up with layers of paint, creating a kind of gritty texture that catches the light. Look at the way Jankowski uses color—or rather, a lack of it. It's a symphony of grays, with hints of blue and purple peeking through. In the center is an incomplete halo, barely visible and yet it defines the space around it. Then there's the faintest outline of a triangle at the bottom. What does it all mean? The closest point of comparison I can think of is Antoni Tàpies. Like Tàpies, Jankowski seems to be interested in the poetry of everyday materials, in the way that simple gestures can create something profound. It is about looking, feeling, and questioning.