Anamnesis of Yellow 2018

Lech Jankowski's "Anamnesis of Yellow," of indeterminate date, is wrought with symbolic potential. The dominant yellow form, reminiscent of a flame or perhaps a sail, evokes ideas of enlightenment and journeys. This vertical thrust, a symbol of aspiration, reminds us of similar shapes across time and cultures; think of the Egyptian obelisks pointing towards the heavens or the spires of Gothic cathedrals. Emerging from what seems like a dark sea represented by horizontal lines at the bottom of the painting, this image has a dreamlike quality and prompts us to explore the depths of memory. The strands hanging from the yellow shape have a symbolic ambiguity. Are they roots, tethers, or the remnants of a life now gone? The contrasting textures and stark division between light and shadow invoke a powerful emotional response. It is this subconscious pull, deeply embedded in our collective memory, that underscores the artwork's evocative power. This symbol—flame, sail, or something else entirely—reappears throughout history, transformed yet eternally resonant.