Visual Work by Mikolaj Smolinski

mikolaj smolinski + practice piano 2

2012-01-26T23:43:00.000-08:00

i'm aiming at a few things here

2012-01-06T00:56:00.001-08:00

2012-01-06T00:42:00.001-08:00

2012-01-06T00:41:00.009-08:00

2012-01-06T00:41:00.007-08:00

2012-01-06T00:41:00.005-08:00

2012-01-06T00:41:00.003-08:00

2012-01-06T00:41:00.001-08:00

2012-01-06T00:19:00.003-08:00

2012-01-06T00:19:00.001-08:00

Mikolaj Smolinski - recent work

2011-05-04T00:07:00.000-07:00

Some images from the recent show are posted
below. More will follow. New work is also on the go.
Currently trying to finish some Collab work
with Mark Hallpatch. More to come.

Cheers

mikolaj smolinski - you sit, i dance

2011-05-03T23:59:00.000-07:00

From a series on performance and artists practicing
performance. I will be completing that shortly.

you sit, i dance - etching 2011

mikolaj smolinski - birthday tort

2011-05-03T23:56:00.000-07:00

My Mom used to make these
killer torts. Everybody should
have a tort on occasion as it is
a different kind of ceremony than
the cake.

birthday tort - etching 2011

mikolaj smolinski - bell

2011-05-03T23:54:00.000-07:00

a ceremonial thing. I have many
in my home.

bell - etching 2011

mikolaj smolinski - cat head tower

2011-05-03T23:52:00.000-07:00

This one is curious to me.

cat head tower - etching 2011

mikolaj smolinski - soft machine

2011-05-03T23:51:00.000-07:00

soft machine - etching 2011

mikolaj smolinski - hands

2011-05-03T23:49:00.000-07:00

powers.

hands - etching 2011

mikolaj smolinski - cloud of daggers

2011-05-03T23:48:00.000-07:00

cloud of daggers - etching 2011

Mikolaj Smolinski - iron umbrella

2011-05-03T23:39:00.000-07:00

It was all about protection from the theme above.
A shield of sorts.

iron umbrella - etching 2011

Mikolaj Smolinski - rescuer

2011-05-03T23:33:00.000-07:00

Marijke Nap and I had this magazine of rescue gear we used
to laugh at in the studio. The character in this image is based
from one of the photos in the mag + he reminded me of my
cousin when he was in his twenties fronting a stash + mullet +
always listening to Rush all the time.

A bit of a Bueys reference again too. It fit the bill?

rescuer - etching 2011

Mikolaj Smolinski - woodsist

2011-05-03T23:29:00.000-07:00

Based on the woodsmen/hunters that rescue little red.
Its a play on "woodmen", to me. Sabina's images set the
scene. Also the name of one of my favored record labels
of recent.

woodsist - etching 2011

Mikolaj Smolinski - Prince Georgian Dinner Jacket

2011-05-03T23:20:00.000-07:00

From a series of works regarding
"ceremonial robes" as worn by different
practicing artists, bestowing upon them -
supernatural powers.

The title was coined by Keith Morrison.

Prince Georgian Dinner Jacket - etching 2011

Mikolaj Smolinski - recent exhibition image

2011-05-03T23:16:00.000-07:00

A shot of the my work as you enter the gallery. I will have
more complete exhibition images to follow soon. Sabina's
and my work really complimented each other. It was a
good show.

Sabina Sutherland & Mikolaj Smolinski collaborative images

2011-05-03T23:12:00.000-07:00

Here's a quick snap of Sabina's and My collaborative images.
a corporeal affair I & II - silk screen + digital 2011

A Corporeal Affair

2011-04-15T09:23:00.000-07:00

A Corporeal Affair opens this weekend and is up until April 24th,
at Dundarave Printworkshop + Gallery here in Vancouver.
The exhibition features new works by Sabina Sutherland and
Mikolaj Smolinski. Come by if you're in town. Images of the show
and new work will be posted here shortly. All the best.

M

an arrangement for a forest by mikolaj smolinski

2010-03-08T12:59:00.000-08:00

an arrangement for a forest
etching 12 x 12 inches
2010

This work was recently completed for an exhibition that will be held
in China this year. The Forest, along with 11 other works from my catalog,
will travel for a group exhibition with 9 other Canadian artists this May.
More details to follow soon.

cheers

Coyote House/ghost fire by mikolaj smolinski

2010-03-08T12:56:00.000-08:00

Coyote House/ghost fire
etching
2010

This one is from a series of images that explore ideas
about shelter. Ghost fires (like the one outside this Coyote House)
have started to emerge in several new works, usually signaling an
elemental shift or symbolic transmutation.

works by mikolaj smolinski @ Janice Wong Studio

2010-03-08T09:18:00.000-08:00

I am happy to announce that I will have some work
on display at Janice Wong Studio in Vancouver BC.
If you are around, drop in and check out this great space.
The address/times are on the card. It's located just near
Granville Island. The studio is currently showcasing a
great crew of artists working in a variety of media.

cheers

M

the last days of dragons - hog as boar by mikolaj smolinski

2010-02-10T10:05:00.000-08:00

mikolaj smolinski : the last days of dragons
- hog as boar
mixed media
2010

The blanket title for this series comes from a record of
the same name by Steffen Basho-Junghans. I've been listening
to it over the last while. The series includes a suite of animals dressed
in costume as other animals.

like all those who came before me by mikolaj smolinski

2010-02-07T13:00:00.000-08:00

like all those who came before me by mikolaj smolinski
mixed media
6 inches tall
2010

I'm jumping back into 3D (it's been 12 years since last). I'm producing many new sculptures currently. These are the first two finished, with an army on the way. I'm still working out their armatures and stands for display. Perhaps, I've been in 2D for too long as I'm kinda overly excited by making these. Hope you like them. Plenty more to come very shortly.

mouse fur coat by mikolaj smolinski

2010-02-07T12:57:00.000-08:00

mouse fur coat by mikolaj smolinski
mixed media on wood armature
about the size of a mouse
2010

slow dance by mikolaj smolinski

2010-02-07T12:45:00.000-08:00

slow dance by mikolaj smolinski
etching, chine colle
2010

at the costume ball by mikolaj smolinski

2010-02-07T12:42:00.000-08:00

at the costume ball by mikolaj smolinski
etching, chine colle
2010

gathering under a fur blanket by mikolaj smolinski

2010-02-07T12:37:00.000-08:00

gathering under a fur blanket by mikolaj smolinski
etching, chine colle
2010

2009-11-22T14:54:00.000-08:00

Some work from a recent show with some

good friends at Dundarave Gallery in 2009.

The individual images are posted below.

Mikolaj Smolinski - fur trees

2009-11-22T14:53:00.000-08:00

Mikolaj Smolinski - fur trees
etching
2009

Mikolaj Smolinski - cloud over spider temple

2009-11-22T14:52:00.001-08:00

Mikolaj Smolinski - cloud over spider temple
etching
2009

Mikolaj Smolinski - ceremony 3

2009-11-22T14:51:00.001-08:00

Mikolaj Smolinski - ceremony 3
etching
2009

Mikolaj Smolinski - wands made of tree fingers

2009-11-22T14:51:00.000-08:00

Mikolaj Smolinski - wands made of tree fingers
etching
2009

Mikolaj Smolinski - fur coat for cub

2009-11-22T14:50:00.000-08:00

Mikolaj Smolinski - fur coat for cub
etching
2009

Mikolaj Smolinski - ceremony in fur

2009-11-22T14:44:00.000-08:00

Mikolaj Smolinski - ceremony in fur
etching
2009

Mikolaj Smolinski - cloaked figures (detail)

2009-11-22T14:43:00.000-08:00

Mikolaj Smolinski - cloaked figures (detail)
mixed media on paper
2009

Mikolaj Smolinski - cloaked figures

2009-11-22T14:42:00.000-08:00

Mikolaj Smolinski - cloaked figures
mixed media on paper
2009

Mikolaj Smolinski - seated woman and seven fires

2009-11-22T14:24:00.000-08:00

Mikolaj Smolinski - seated woman and seven fires
mixed media on paper
2009

Mikolaj Smolinski - conversation with the serpent

2009-11-19T10:00:00.000-08:00

Mikolaj Smolinski - conversation with the serpent
mixed media on paper
2009

Mikolaj Smolinski - bear claw gloves

2009-11-19T09:59:00.000-08:00

Mikolaj Smolinski - bear claw gloves
etching
2009

This grouping of five (bear claw gloves to voice) came to be displayed
at Janice Wong Studio here in Vancouver. They were loosely based on
Joseph Bueys' Coyote Performance, as you might recognize with Coyote is
the Blanket.

Mikolaj Smolinski - 3 Coyotes

2009-11-19T09:58:00.000-08:00

Mikolaj Smolinski - 3 Coyotes
etching
2009

Mikolaj Smolinski - coyote is the blanket

2009-11-19T09:38:00.000-08:00

Mikolaj Smolinski - coyote is the blanket
etching
2009

Mikolaj Smolinski - during sleep I walk

2009-11-19T09:25:00.000-08:00

Mikolaj Smolinski - during sleep I walk
etching
2009

Mikolaj Smolinski - voice

2009-11-19T09:10:00.000-08:00

Mikolaj Smolinski - voice
etching
2009

Mikolaj Smolinski - gesture of Nighttime Observatory

2009-11-19T08:00:00.000-08:00

Mikolaj Smolinski gesture of Nighttime Observatory
etching
2009

Mikolaj Smolinski working out arrangements in studio

2009-11-19T07:55:00.000-08:00

Mikolaj Smolinski working out arrangements - 2009

Mikolaj Smolinski - hollow cat

2009-11-19T07:00:00.000-08:00

Mikolaj Smolinski - hollow cat
graphite on paper
2009

Mikolaj Smolinski - hog with blanket

2009-11-19T06:06:00.000-08:00

Mikolaj Smolinski - hog with blanket
mixed media on paper
2009

Mikolaj Smolinski

2009-11-19T06:04:00.000-08:00

Mikolaj Smolinski
graphite on paper
2009

Mikolaj Smolinski

2009-11-19T06:01:00.000-08:00

Mikolaj Smolinski
graphite on paper
2009

to move a small horse (edit) - drawing by Mikolaj Smolinski

2008-11-14T17:21:00.000-08:00

This is an edit of a larger drawing (edited part being space).
This was completed with graphite on paper and is part of a
larger series of drawings I'm working on.

singing hares by Mikolaj Smolinski

2008-11-14T17:19:00.000-08:00

This piece was completed as part of my exhibition with
Marijke Nap this fall. Check out the link "anonymous atrocities"
for details to your right.

child and tortoise by Mikolaj Smolinski

2008-11-14T17:17:00.000-08:00

This one was done for the Graf portfolio in 2008

2008-10-24T11:44:00.000-07:00

Hello All,

Check out a new exhibition I'm participating in with Marijke Nap
called Anonymous Atrocities at the Dundarave Print Workshop
down on Granville Island in Vancouver. The link is below:

http://anonymousatrocities.blogspot.com/

2008-05-27T20:11:00.000-07:00

rejoicing in quiet

Mikolaj Smolinski

etching, chine colle

3.5 x 7 inches

2008

2008-05-11T15:28:00.003-07:00

to see into the boar

Mikolaj Smolinski

etching, chine colle

4 x 4 inches

2008

2008-05-11T15:28:00.002-07:00

ceremony to become weightless

Mikolaj Smolinski

etching

4 x 4 inches

2008

2008-05-11T15:28:00.001-07:00

ceremony #2 bathing the boar

Mikolaj Smolinski

etching, chine colle

4 x 4 inches

2008

2008-04-25T11:07:00.000-07:00

our roof has four legs, and it moves like the thunder
Mikolaj Smolinski
etching
12 x 15 inches
2008

2008-04-25T11:05:00.000-07:00

(cathedral) and we are spectral
Mikolaj Smolinski
etching, chine colle
9 x 12 inches
2008

2007-12-16T16:17:00.000-08:00

Mikolaj Smolinski

at the bell ladder

etching, chine colle

3x3 inches

2007

We assembled a bell ladder like the one in this print at my house

recently. It plays enchanting songs. I believe bells to be powerful

tools.

2007-12-16T16:15:00.001-08:00

Mikolaj Smolinski

Wildcat is Hollow
etching, chine colle

3x3 inches

2007

2007-12-16T16:14:00.000-08:00

Mikolaj Smolinski

The Table

etching, chine colle

3x7 inches

2007

I've been working with many roped figures recently (a theme in my work).

This is an image I completed last spring/summer. I have yet to make sense

of the scenario, though I have some clues.

2007-07-28T14:51:00.000-07:00

Mikolaj Smolinski

tower of boars

etching, chine colle

3.5 x 6 inches

2006

The above, along with 6 other prints were accepted into the Trois-Rivieres Biennale

international exhibition this year. The exhibition runs until September 2nd in Trois-

Riviers. A great show, with many excellent artists. They publish a great catalog of

the exhibition too. http://sites.rapidus.net/biennale.trois-rivieres

2007-07-28T14:33:00.000-07:00

Mikolaj Smolinski

boar in two parts with hands reaching

etching, chine colle (bound)

2 x 4 inches

2007

Here is a fresh one, done as two image plates bound together

(hence the paper edges down the middle). This little one won second prize

in an international exhibition called "Internationale D'Art Miniature 4th edition"

in Quebec, earlier this spring. The show is on until September 2nd in Levis

and Saint - Nicolas in Quebec and features many different artists and mediums.

http://www.artmini.com/

2007-07-28T14:07:00.000-07:00

Mikolaj Smolinski

translation of animate

etching (4 plates)

3x12 inches

2007

Here is an example of some of the combo images I've been working with

to suggest narratives. This one recieved an award of excellence at the

Federation Gallery in Vancouver

2007-03-15T10:32:00.000-07:00

Mikolaj Smolinski

small boar with halo

etching, chine colle

1.5 x 1.5 inches 2007

2006-12-18T18:39:00.000-08:00

Mikolaj Smolinski

The Work to be Done

etching/chine colle

2006 (3 x 3 inches)

This piece signals the body of new work I have been

working toward.

2006-12-11T14:05:00.000-08:00

Mikolaj Smolinski

Roped Boar

etching/chine colle

2006 (3x3 inches)

Here is another wild boar. This one won first place at BIMPE,

an international mini print competition held in Vancouver,

B.C. Check their site out - www.bimpe.com. Bimpe is run by

New Leaf Editions, a top notch printshop - check them out

at www.newleafeditions.com

2006-12-11T13:51:00.000-08:00

Mikolaj Smolinski

Dog Remembers that He was Once a Tree

etching/ chine colle

2006 (3 x 3 inches)

This one is at Malaspina Printmakers Society

for their group show in Decemeber 2006. Check out

Malaspina at www.malaspinaprintmakers.com

2006-12-11T13:38:00.000-08:00

Mikolaj Smolinski

Short Haired Table

etching/chine colle

2006 (3 x 3 inches)

"Hairred" objects is another theme throughout my work.

Its another way to animate the inanimate and free

these objects of their predispositioned nature.

2006-12-11T13:19:00.000-08:00

Mikolaj Smolinski

Feather Garden Feather Fox

etching/chine colle

2006 (3x3 inches)

This one was from a series of fox based musings on

myth and dream based images. It was for a show at

the Federation Gallery and later for a solo show of fifty

plus etchings of this format at Dundarave. The invite

with this image kept running out the door. I think I

distributed more invites with this image on it than

the print itself.

Check out the Federation Gallery at

www.federationgallery.ca

2006-12-11T13:06:00.000-08:00

Mikolaj Smolinski

Boar Nude
etching/chine colle
2006 (3x3 inches)
.
.
This is an early 2006 print I did for a 3 person show
at Dundarave Print Workshop (with Maureen Elston
and Darlene Bigus-Doheny). This was one of the
first prints from my re-introduction to etching after
a three year break from print media. It's co-partner
is the Woolen Boar - same boar, though not shaven.
Boars continue to appear throughout my work as a
mythical animal both in terms of print culture and
visual animism.
.
.
Check out Dundarave at

www.dundaraveprintworkshop.ca

2006-12-11T12:59:00.000-08:00

Mikolaj Smolinski

Fiat with Legs

etching/ chine colle

2006 (3 x 3 inches)

My family drove many of these back in

communist Poland, when I was young.

My cousin and I had a long time, almost

cultish fascination with the, now, iconic

vehicle. This one has a "hairy" trailer to

go with it. The trailer belongs to my cousin

in Poland - I've seen it in many photos over

the years.

2006-12-11T11:49:00.000-08:00

Mikolaj Smolinski

Bassiphon

etching/chine colle

2003 (3 x 7 feet)

This piece, as "First Movement", is from my MFA

final exhibition with the University of Alberta in

2003. The series was an involved and mysterious

journey. Looking back, the whole experience taught

me quite a bit about myself at the time, my process

and perhaps what I was seeking from a Masters

program.

They are essentially body sized gestures

that were transformed into large scale etchings.

I now see them as a kind of initiation. An initiation

that challenged how I felt about print, the creative

process and my position within the art community.

I only made one of each and then the plates

were destroyed.

2006-12-11T11:41:00.000-08:00

Mikolaj Smolinski

First Movement

etching/ chine colle

2003 (3 x 7 feet)