Anna Maryniak
Anna Maryniak (born 11 January 1978) is a young Polish painter associated with the ‘'genart'’ group of which she was one of the founding artists. Her main artwork consists of collage type paintings with hair and bass-releifs among other unknown textures. She began painting in Poland and Paris although she currently lives and works in London.
Artistic Education
Ms Maryniak attended the London Kensington and Chelsea College before receiving further education at the Heatherley School of Fine Art. Her initial introduction to the arts came during her high school years when she learned the arts under a number of unnamed mentors and tutors in Poland.
Artwork
Genart
In late 2003 Anna Maryniak and her fellow genart painter, Eva Kowalewska began working on creating a new type of Polish Contemporary Art which incorporated new techniques and media with the traditional Fine Arts of which both were fans. The first three paintings were made side by side by the two artists, using the same models and composition, while aiming to create a thorough and precise style of painting. Both artists made contributions to the style, which they both later developed separately.
Nike 2000
The Nike 2000 series was begun in Poland, where Maryniak completed three paintings before she returned to London where she expanded and finished the series. The series comprises of thirteen paintings. The most notable among these are three poignant "Pianist" paintings that the artist created, along with two colourful works, “Predominance“ and “Self-Conceit” which were an exploration of the juxtaposition of the beautiful danger of birds and women.
Six of the paintings in this series have bass relief elements which are made with polymer clay. A number of textured surfaces are also present in some paintings, but information as to how they are created are kept private by the artist. All the paintings also have real hair incorporated, which is usually the genetic element of the paintings, although the artist has stated that other genetic elements are sometimes used.
The Third stage of Beauty ( Ink Sketches)
This series was created in 2007 after Anna visited a number of old age hospices in Poland during her summer holidays. The elderly people she met inspired her to return to some of her basic artistic training and create a series of graphics/ ink sketches. The weathered skin allowed for a more detailed and contrasting style than young skin would allow.
Exhibitions
- 2007 September Awangarda Gallery, Wroclaw, Poland
A selection of genart paintings was exhibited.
- 2008 July Opera Gallery, Budapest, Hungary
A number of genart paintings were exhibited over a few days.
- 2008 September Adam Street Gallery, London
A group exhibition where Ms Maryniak presented some genart works and some graphics.
- 2009 September Les Grands Maitres De Demain, Carrousel du Louvre, Paris
A number of graphics were presented along with other paintings
- 2009 May Untitled The UK's Largest Artist Fair
Graphics and a number of figurative ( non-genart paintings) were presented in a group exhibition.
Published books
Journal Intime de Gosia
This novel, in the form of a diary, was written in 2003 by Anna Maryniak and her colleague before and during their artistic experimentation that led to genart. Journal Intime de Gosia was published by Editions S.G.B in 2006. Anna shares joint authorship of this novel with close friend and fellow artist Eva Kowalewska. There was slight controversy surrounding the book because the authors claimed that the book was a mix of true events and fiction, which led to the press trying to separate fact from fiction. The authors, however, did not divulge any clarifying information. It is a novel written in the form of a diary by a young girl who encounters horrific and humiliating experiences. She grows up in a pathological environment created by her mother. Although she lives through traumatic situations, Gosia grows up to be successful in her personal and professional life. The reader is meant to observe a young woman of high ethics and high spirits.
References
- Maryniak, Anna & Kowalewska Eva, Journal Intime de Gosia, 05/2006 , ISBN 9782952394314