Femininity in the eyes of Adam Wątor

Young Art Auctions are undoubtedly the most dynamic area of the market. The prices of young artists' works soar well above their starting bids, reflecting changing collector tastes. Young artists respond to a changing world, creating contemporary art. They often channel their inner optimism and positive energy into their works. Many follow a clear artistic direction, making their pieces instantly captivating. One of the most recognizable artists in our auctions is Adam Wątor, known for his beautiful, colorful, and abstract models.

The artist studied at the Faculty of Painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków, in the studio of Włodzimierz Kunz. The primary inspiration for his work is the human form and emotions expressed through the body. His painting closely aligns with drawing. Wątor has participated in numerous group and solo exhibitions. His works are in private collections in Poland, the USA, Norway, and Sweden.

Paulina Brol: When did you realize you wanted to become an artist?

Adam Wątor: I showed artistic abilities from a young age, treating drawing as the greatest fun. In school, my task was creating chronicles or bulletin boards. However, I never thought I could actually be an artist. This changed due to the influence of those close to me, who convinced me that this was something I wanted to do in life. For a boy from a small village near Kraków, the Kraków Academy of Fine Arts seemed like an inaccessible temple of art. After two attempts, my dream finally came true. But have I become an artist? I don't know. To me, true artists are people like Pablo Picasso or Wassily Kandinsky. The most important thing is that what I do is not just my job, but a great passion and love.

PB: Is painting the only field of art in which you express yourself?

AW: Painting is definitely the main field in which I express myself, but not the only one. I often engage in drawing, with sketches being the initial stage of creating a painting. I am also involved in photography. In my work, I use live models as well as photographs I take myself. I am also interested in interior architecture and have managed to complete several of my own projects in this field.

PB: What do you want to express through your paintings?

AW: Like any artist, I want to express what I feel and choose forms that are particularly close to me. I believe that the essence of any kind of art, especially painting, is to evoke emotions in the viewer, thereby creating a special connection with them. Various emotions inspire my work, and I am aware that they are often not positive. They can encompass a range of negative feelings, such as sadness and anxiety, but this is also part of my story. I think all my paintings are in some way imbued with my experiences, even if this isn't immediately apparent. I always strive to influence the viewer's emotional state and mood through the selection of appropriate colors, shapes, and themes. Emotions have always accompanied art; it has become a way of recording them.

PB: What inspires you the most to create?

AW: I often find inspiration in everyday life, in small details that others might overlook. Every artist has unique experiences, often drawing from literature or music. One of my favorite sources of inspiration is the human form, especially the female figure. In my works, I often consciously avoid depicting faces. A face is tied to a specific person, whereas I am interested in the human being in a general sense. I try to express emotions and feelings through the body, particularly through subtle gestures. I pay a lot of attention to hands, which I find to be an ideal medium for emotions. In my opinion, this provides as strong a message as emotions expressed through facial expressions. The human body continually surprises and never ceases to fascinate us. It seems that this subject will never grow old. It has always been a profoundly intriguing subject for art, which has captured it from virtually every perspective. The theme of the body has inspired so many works that it's hard to imagine anything else drawing human attention. However, it always does, becoming a medium through which many messages can be conveyed to move the viewer. One must remember that our reality consists of the people around us. It's not difficult to see the beauty in a mountain landscape; it presents itself readily. I believe one must see the beauty in people.

PB: How do your paintings come to life?

AW: I start by finding inspiration in the surrounding world and reality. I also seek emotions that move me and stimulate my imagination. It's important for me to have a concept of what I want to achieve, an idea that appears in my mind. When I create the work, I also focus on choosing the right form and color. I try to pay attention to every element to achieve the desired effect. Detail is important in my work. During the creation process, I often act subconsciously and rely on intuition. I believe that the paintings are within me. It's just a matter of finding and realizing them.

PB: Is there something you can't paint without?

AW: Yes, music. I think it's my second passion after painting. I collect vinyl records. I can't imagine painting without listening to music. Music allows me to disconnect from the surrounding reality, maybe even enter a sort of trance. Music and painting are inextricably linked. They inspire each other. What connects them are the strong emotions and thoughts that the artist tries to convey to the audience. The combination of these two existing side-by-side forms of expression leads to a profound message. In music, we often talk about painting with sound, and in painting, about composition. Sounds can be long or short, just like brush strokes. You can paint a picture under the influence of music or compose a piece while looking at a work of art.

PB: Have the works of other visual artists also driven you to create?

AW: Since I arrived at the Kraków Academy of Fine Arts, I have always been fascinated by the artistic work of my professors: Jan Szancenbach and Włodzimierz Kunz. Under their influence, I experimented and searched for my own path for years. I was inspired by their works, and my works are somewhat a mix of their styles. My favorite artists also include Francis Bacon and Egon Schiele. These are artists who often experimented, mixed different techniques, and had an interesting approach to art. They created boldly and without inhibition. I am also fascinated by theater, especially actors in a broad sense. I think the characters in my paintings can be compared to actors on stage, and I am the director of this spectacle. I often turn to biographies, films, photographs – anything that can spark my creativity.

PB: Lastly, what do you desire in your artistic work and future?

AW: Above all, I want to continue honing my craft and never lose my passion for what I do. I want to keep changing and searching for something new. The goal of my work is to reach as many viewers as possible and influence their emotions.

You can view Adam Wątor's latest work from the "Hologram" series at our headquarters at Piękna 1A in Warsaw until May 20. We invite you to participate in the auction, especially the live bidding on Monday, May 20, at 7:00 PM.