On the Way to the Anteroom 

Iwo Zaniewski painted 'On the Way to the Anteroom' using traditional techniques, but with an intriguing tension between representation and abstraction. Observe how the artist has layered colours to create depth and shadow. The figure seems to emerge from the darkness, built up with subtle gradations of tone, creating a sense of mystery and anticipation. Zaniewski is playing with perception. Although a painting such as this is made in a studio, it presents a scene from everyday life: a person in a room, framed by a doorway. But it's not just about capturing a likeness. The painting process itself becomes a meditation on form and the essence of seeing. By emphasizing the materiality of the paint and the act of creation, Zaniewski blurs the boundaries between the observed world and the artist's interpretation, inviting us to contemplate the nature of reality itself. This approach elevates painting beyond mere representation and aligns it with broader questions about human experience.