Krzysztof Urbaniak - Koło Gospodyń Alzackich

Krzysztof URBANIAK
Year of birth: 1980
An artist who paints with words
A break from reality painted with words
My paintings are a theater of the imagination – situations transferred onto paper or canvas, conversations I had, meetings I explained. The images arise in a place where many cultures meet: Polish, Alsatian, French, German and Swiss, and in many languages: Polish, French, German and English. The title of a painting is in the language in which I think at the moment it appears in my mind.
My artistic creation began at the moment I learned to read. Words, quotes, song lyrics, associations referring to the past, present and future, memorized fragments of cabaret performances – everything connected with the word paints my images. “The word at the beginning” – just as every line starts every drawing and painting. Many images are inspired by the words of song lyrics.
I am self-taught.
Education
I learned drawing and art history from Professor Joël LEBRA; my passion for art history was passed on to me by Professor Mariusz Karpowicz, and William Kurtyka taught me to look at paintings and encouraged artistic work.
Philosophy
Each painting is accompanied by a description and analysis. Every image begins with words spoken by me or by my interlocutors. Around them, form, shape, color, line thickness, and so on are built. The lines that appear in the paintings connect to form a loop, allowing one to get lost while viewing the image and enabling analysis after reading the text that is an integral part of it.
Music is often associated with the images, which I propose listening to while viewing the painting.
Reading and speaking are natural activities. Breaking away from reality is also natural, and I enable this for people looking at my paintings. The stories told in the images are true – REALITY PROVIDES MORE EMOTION THAN FICTION. Sometimes improbable. A person looking at my paintings can become lost and then find their way again. A person reading the painting’s description can find themselves while looking, get lost, and rediscover.
Technique
Acrylic on canvas, acrylic on paper, ink on paper, collage, mixed media.
Inspiration
I am inspired by words spoken by people, words written, translated and untranslatable, images, sculptures and buildings created by people, including, among others, Dadaists, Dariusz Orwat, the Bauhaus movement, Anni Albers, Le Corbusier, Jean Tinguely, Hans Arp, Niki de Saint Phalle.
Past exhibitions

March 2024. Exhibition of paintings at Domaine du Hirtz, Wattwiller, France.

May 2025. Exhibition at the Town Hall of Pfastatt, France.

June 2025. Exhibition during the charity event “Two Hearts,” Strasbourg, France.

July and August 2026. Poland (Polanica-Zdrój) France (Mulhouse). Many locations, including the Pieniawska Gardens and the Art Café in Polanica-Zdrój, the Mediateka in Pfastatt and the Le Coin des Delices restaurant in Moosch.

September 2026. Exhibition Regards croisés (Crossed gazes) in the Saint-Etienne church, Mulhouse, France.
ARTISTIC CONCEPT
I paint with words; the form of the painting, its shapes and colors are planned before painting. This stems from the impossibility of making corrections after the work is done. The concept of the images is based on a line that forms a loop. The line does not cross itself. I chose a loop because it symbolizes the repetitiveness of cycles in nature, of which I am a part. Cyclicity is embedded in humanity. The number of words available in each language is limited; we use about 1,500–2,000 words for free communication, words and letters repeat cyclically, but each time in a different context.