Powidok słońca 1949

Wladyslaw Strzeminski created this painting, *Powidok słońca*, with oil on canvas. At first glance, the forms and colors may seem abstract, but it is deeply rooted in Strzeminski’s socio-political context. Strzeminski developed a theory called Unism, arguing that a painting should be an organic whole, and reflect the flatness of the canvas. If you look closely, you can see how the brushstrokes build up a tangible surface, activating the eye with its textures. The thick application of paint speaks to the labor involved in its creation. It is important to remember that Strzeminski worked during a period of intense political change in Poland, and his artistic choices were profoundly influenced by his beliefs in social justice. In the postwar years, he was sacked from his teaching post for not adhering to Stalinist social realism. Ultimately, *Powidok słońca* challenges the traditional hierarchy between fine art and craft, inviting us to consider the social, political, and material dimensions of artistic expression.