Kurtyna nad morzem 3 2020

Lech Jankowski made this painting, Kurtyna nad morzem 3, with thoughtful mark making, building up textures that create a mesmerizing surface. The palette is understated, dominated by blues, greens and browns, which adds to the subtle quality of the piece. When you look closely, you can see how Jankowski has worked the surface of the painting. The paint is thick in places, almost sculptural, and you can imagine him layering it on, scraping it back, and building up these tactile qualities. Look at the upper section, the way he’s evoked the sea with these rhythmic vertical marks. They feel almost like curtains, but with a sense of depth that invites you in. The physicality of the paint gives the piece a real presence. I am reminded of Gerhard Richter’s abstract paintings, not in style, but in the way Jankowski embraces process and ambiguity, allowing the painting to become a space of exploration and discovery.