Studio in the Countryside 2021

Iwo Zaniewski made this picture of a studio in the countryside, and the first thing that strikes you is that its made with coloured pencils, or something that looks like it – like a drawing more than a painting. Up close, the textured surface is very present, made from the marks of the pencils, and this adds to a sense of intimacy. It's like the drawing is whispering secrets in your ear. Notice the way the artist uses short, hatched lines to build up the forms and shadows. It's almost like a pointillist painting, but instead of dots of color, Zaniewski uses tiny strokes of graphite and pigment. It reminds me of Fairfield Porter in a way, another artist who loved to paint the everyday. I especially love the view through the window, how the outside landscape is framed by the inside space of the studio. It’s as if the artist is inviting us to contemplate the relationship between art and life, nature and culture. Ultimately, this piece is about seeing, about the way we construct our understanding of the world through observation and interpretation. And like all great art, it leaves you with more questions than answers.