Deszcz 2019

Lech Jankowski created this drawing, "Deszcz", which translates to "Rain" in Polish, with pencil on paper. It depicts a rainfall over a field in a simple, almost melancholic style. Made in Poland, it is worth considering the country's complex history marked by periods of occupation, resistance, and resilience. Jankowski, born after the Second World War, grew up in a Poland under Soviet influence. The subtle, almost minimalist representation of nature can be seen in the light of the complicated relationship Poles have with their land. For centuries Poland was a rural country, where the vast majority of people lived off the land. Poland’s complicated political history and the shifting of borders, together with the industrialisation promoted by the communist regime resulted in a complicated relationship to the land. To fully understand this drawing, we need to look at the context in which it was made. Scrutinising exhibition catalogues, artist statements, and critical reviews can provide a deeper appreciation of its meaning within its specific historical and cultural context.