Sun Newspapers
Volume 3. Issue 6.
Published March 15, 2007
Apart: From Europa to Paradise Lost
March 9th - March 31st 2007
Exit (a gallery space)
2688 W.14th St. Cleveland Oh, 44113
330-321-8161
Apart: From Europa to Paradise Lost
Springtime has brought a welcome renewal to the Cleveland art scene. Tremont’s new gallery, exit (a gallery space), is hosting a unique exhibition of paintings by Andrzej Siwkiewicz through March 31. The exhibit, collectively titled “Apart - From Europa to Paradise,” consists of six paintings, which comprise years of work on the artist’s part.
A native of Poland, Siwkiewicz has been exhibiting artwork since the 1970s, both in private collections and public museums. Despite being a respected artist throughout Europe, Siwkiewicz was virtually unknown when he came to the United States in the early 1990s. “You have to start from scratch,” he says philosophically. Though he has done well in the United States and Europe, fame is not among Siwkiewicz’s priorities. Rather, he is in love with the different aspects of his work. “Physicality and material are things I strongly identify with,” he explains.
Yet, Siwkiewicz enjoys the mental process of painting as much as the physical side. “For me, art is a dialogue, not an execution. It’s not always what you considered first that really works.” Siwkiewicz strives to defy the status quo. “You have to keep yourself on edge. You don’t want to be redundant. If you’re going to repeat yourself, why bother?” This is important because of art’s role in society, Siwkiewicz explains. “We are in constant change and it’s important to recognize and identify this, and to somehow articulate this with the means we have. Art is a venue for self-expression.”
Unlike many artists, Siwkiewicz shies away from identifying himself with a particular style of art. “You cannot explain art. You either connect with it or not, so I don’t try to interpret my paintings for others. I want people to respond to my work, but I’m not going to guide them by giving them a name or a classification for it. People must trust their instincts.”
The choice of venue is deliberate. Siwkiewicz is adamant when he explains the importance of selecting the right place for an exhibit. “Context is important. The wrong context can question your integrity and demeans the work. The venue defines your intentions. The sole purpose is not to sell the paintings, but to create a dialogue, to create a connection.”
The exit (a gallery space) was formerly located in Kent, Ohio, and relocated to 2688 W. 14th St. in Tremont last August. The gallery is open on Fridays from 5-7 p.m., Saturdays from 12-5 p.m. or by appointment. Visit the website www.exitgallery.com or call (330) 321-8161 for more information.