2023

Exhibition “Humanoids Exodus” at BWA Zamość

2022

XVI ARS SACRA Festival – Humanoid – Budapest

2022

Exhibition “EXODUS – Stigmata of Time” at the Center for Meeting of Cultures in Lublin

2021

Overview exhibition “Of Love and Wind” at the Municipal Art Gallery in Częstochowa, Poland

2021

Exhibition “Humanoids and Valentyna” at the Baltic Art Gallery in Koszalin and ZPAP in Warsaw, Poland

2021

Opening of the 27th International Poster Biennale in Warsaw, Poland

2015

Retrospective exhibition at the House of Visual Artists in Warsaw, marking the 50th anniversary of creative work.

2014

Projects “Today I Go to Fight, Mom” and “Insurgent Ramparts” in Warsaw.

2012

Project “Painted Chronicle of the Olympics” in London.

1994-2014

Stay and artistic activity in the United States, including cooperation with the National Museum of Dance in Saratoga Springs and with Kentucky Derby, where he received the title of Official Artist of the Kentucky Derby.

2002

Collaboration with the Grand Theatre – National Opera in Warsaw, which included two major exhibitions.

2020

Awarded the Silver Gloria Artis Medal by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage.

2013

Silver Medal at the Poster Biennale in Katowice.

Silver Olympic Laurel in the category of Art.

Bogusław, I’m incredibly pleased that we can talk today. Thank you for the opportunity to bring your artistic vision closer to our readers. To start off, could you please reveal what the main inspiration for your work is?

Emotions, always emotions. My work is governed by emotions, and the pieces I create are a reaction to what I’ve lived through, both in the past and presently. You know, I’ve lived many years. I’ve experienced a lot, including war. It is said that I show what cannot be seen, I express strength and energy, something that has not yet been revealed.

I’ve noticed that your works often depict movement and dynamics. Are these elements also a reflection of your emotional experiences?

Of course. I am a painter of movement. My work is dominated by an interest in movement, dynamics, and vibration. This can be seen in my paintings not only of horses in full gallop, dance scenes, but even in interpretations of music. At the same time, focusing on faces, on attempting to understand and reflect the psyche of a human, is equally important to me. When drawing or painting portraits, I delve into someone’s soul. I like a certain tension, mystery, drama.

Are there any special rituals in your creative process that help you convey these dynamic elements?

Yes, I stand and look, step back, look, stand, nibble on crunchy flakes or pinch a dry stalk and keep looking. So, I stand dynamically 😉 My rituals are quite simple, yet extremely important to me. Thus, I paint only while standing, often listening to music (or to world politics news ;-). It’s an integral part of my work. I also talk, to the horror of listeners, on speakerphone and paint. One can hear it…..

After hearing about your unique approach to work, I’m curious if there’s a specific piece that embodies these methods and is particularly important to you?

Overall, not to sound immodest, I like almost everything I paint, but the “Painting Music” series is particularly important to me. These are works that stimulate the imagination and give a sense of creative freedom. Here, when you look at a painting, the mind expands its horizons and gets drawn into the game of endless possibilities, into the sound that you suddenly see, and a moment later feel.

Considering that your “Painting Music” series is exceptionally important and inspiring to you, what challenges arise while working on such projects, and how do you deal with them?

Every painting is a new challenge, a certain mystery. I often struggle with them, even for years, trying to discover something new. There are unfinished works that I’ve been painting for decades. I repeat, I don’t paint a painting that I know how to paint. Every piece is or will be its own coloristic, technical challenge, a different route of expression. I always start with a vague vision, transforming it multiple times and steering it towards reality and finiteness 😉

You mentioned that emotions are key motivators of your creativity. Are there any artists whose approach to art particularly inspires you?

hmmm, Pablo Picasso…, who, when asked what his method of creative search was, replied: “I do not seek, I find.” This approach always inspires me.

In the context of emotions, which are so important in your work, what place does the reception of your works by viewers hold for you?

Of course, I appreciate interest in my art, but interaction is not a priority for me, although I do value that devilish spark in someone’s eye when they light up as they look. But I’m a chatterbox, I fully engage in monologue, yet one must go paint, right?

Speaking of emotions and individual reception of your works, I’m curious, what tools or techniques do you consider essential to express this unique energy in your painting?

Anything can serve as a tool for me. Various utensils, even a pipette, a stick. I don’t limit myself. I have favorite paints, still from the “American times”. The last tubes (I need to check what’s left 😉 I have this pink, that specific shade, have you seen it? I have everything, I’m a collector, I can paint with anything.

What advice would you have for young artists just starting their artistic career?

My advice: Don’t listen to others’ advice! Every artist should follow their own path. Surrender to passion and fascination. Create, work, experience, nurture a wealth of stimuli.

Thank you very much for this conversation, Bogusław. Your stories and reflections are valuable to anyone who appreciates art and seeks deeper emotions and meanings in it. I hope our audience will find inspiration in your works to explore a world full of colors, movement, and life.

Interview with Bogusław Lustyk by Marcin Homan from FineArtPrinst