Muzykant Na Krakowskim Rynku 2016

Paweł Kluza created this painting of Krakow's Market Square using acrylic on canvas. A seemingly simple medium, acrylic paint is made from pigment suspended in a plastic polymer emulsion, a distinctly modern, industrial material. In Kluza's hands, the paint is applied with bold strokes, creating a vibrant and energetic scene, a birds eye view of a bustling city square, complete with musicians and flocks of birds. The artist's approach reminds us that even the most conventional art materials have a history, connected to industries of chemical production. The smooth, quick-drying nature of acrylic allows for a layering of colors and forms, contributing to the painting's dynamic composition, which is so immediate. By embracing the artificiality of acrylic, Kluza acknowledges the impact of mass production on our visual culture, blurring the lines between the hand-made and the industrially produced. This approach to artmaking opens up a dialogue about labor, value, and the role of the artist in a rapidly changing world.