Ireneusz Walczak (b. 1961, Swidnica), "Zeitgeist VII," 2020

Biography
Painter, also works in drawing and printmaking. Lives and works in Siemianowice Śląskie. From 1983 to 1988 he studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow, Department of Graphic Arts in Katowice. Currently, he is a full professor at the Academy of Fine Arts in Katowice, where he leads the Painting Studio.In 1993, he received a scholarship from "The Pollock - Krasner Foundation Award" in New York. He is the winner of thirty national and international awards and prizes, including the Grand Prix and the prize of the mayor of the city of Chamalieres - 1st World Triennial of Small Graphic Forms, Chamalieres, France (1988), Grand Prix - Painting Competition named after Rafał Pomorski (1989), Grand Prix - "Bielska Jesień", Bielsko-Biała (1993).

Initially associated with the "new expression" trend, he quickly developed his own well-recognized, though dynamically changing language of imagery. In his work, he often refers to his private experiences and on this basis builds a universal message revealing existential themes and issues of broadly understood identity in the context of changing cultural, social and political circumstances.

Since the beginning, he has participated in important generational exhibitions, including "Critics about us" -BWA Sopot, "Biennale of New Art" - BWA Zielona Gora (1989), "Black Hole"-BWA Katowice (1990), Painting of the 80's-Frankfurt am Main, Düsseldorf-Germany (1991), "Oko na forelcu, Creme della creme of Polish contemporary painting"-BWA Katowice (1992), "Awakening". - Zollverein, Essen, 1994, "Demolition of the Iron Curtain" Kuhlhaus Exhibition Center Berlin (2011) "Trojan Horse" - BWA Katowice, "Out of the Depths - Artists of the Silesian Museum", Silesian Museum in Katowice (2015), "Dialog der Generationen - Neue Polnische Kunst" - Freies Museum Berlin, Kunsthalle Hanover (2015).

Since 1989, he has painted thirteen series of paintings - including: "Adhesions," "Terra Incognita," "Walls of the Past," "Building Identity," "My House is My Language," "Multicultural," "Narcosis and Euphoria," " Zeitgeist."

Author of 23 solo exhibitions. Participant of nearly 300 collective exhibitions at home and abroad. He has repeatedly participated in art fairs Art Cologne, Art Frankfurt and Art Amsterdam, Art Strasburg, Art Hannover, EUROART in Basel. His works are in foreign and domestic collections and collections.