Artist’s Childhood 

Iwo Zaniewski’s scene of domestic life is rendered with pastels. Despite the title, *Artist’s Childhood*, this is not a nostalgic or sentimental image, but rather an unsentimental rendering of the artist’s studio and the people who occupy it. The artist situates us within an intimate, yet almost impersonal, space. Two older figures are deeply immersed in their respective design projects. In the lower left-hand corner, a child is also absorbed in building or constructing something with small parts. The scene evokes the quiet moments of creation. Zaniewski captures the quietude of a room filled with activity. The three figures, each engaged in their own worlds, suggest the artist's understanding of family dynamics. The pastel colors and diffused light create a sense of warmth, but also detachment, as each figure remains isolated in their work. Zaniewski invites us to reflect on the dynamics of family, and how these relationships shape our individual identities and creative pursuits.