Julian Henryk RACZKO (1936-2019), Double morphology III; 1977

oil, canvas; 82 x 42 cm (two paintings joined by a frame into one composition);
signed, dated and described on the reverse: JULIAN RACZKO / 1977 / "Double Morphology" III / JULIAN
RACZKO.

Debuted with a painting exhibition in 1965 at the Debut Salon of the Association of Polish Artists in Warsaw. His first paintings were rooted in the tradition of color study of nature. The artist's interest in light, resulting from his scientific work, made this problem the essence of his painting works from the mid-1960s. The second sphere of interest - is geometry. Its intuitive application - based on scientific experience in the field of physics and optics - makes Julian Raczko's search move towards pure abstraction in its geometric edition. The language of geometry, which he uses, operates with simple means, shape, light, color, texture - and all these elements seem to be an expression of the artist's desire to achieve harmonic completeness. He himself puts it this way: geometry not only teaches us order, rational thinking, but first of all introduces us to the mystery of space. The feeling of space is one of the most important human experiences. Space can be defined by classical geometry - three-dimensional, but it can also be defined by multidimensional geometry, taking into account time, and perhaps other unknown "dimensions", with hitherto unquantifiable characteristics referring to human existence. Geometry, and therefore space, contain a certain mystery, and are a carrier of metaphysical feelings. The problem of light is also a problem of space, and therefore of geometry. Euclidean geometry, light, time, these and other unknown "dimensions" are strongly interrelated and form a new geometry. Parallel to structural-visualist issues, a trend related to symbolism appears in Julian Raczko's work in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It is associated with the restriction of color to black and white and tends towards spirituality and exploration in the sphere of metaphysics. The Square and Circle series has a particular bearing on expression. Other works, such as The Road or The Vertical and the Horizontal, are a journey, expressed in the language of plastic art, from the concrete, that which holds to the ground, through successive transformations of the components of the composition towards the vertical, a stacked line expressing the pursuit of spiritual perfection. Thus, Julian Raczka's art is expressed in the tension that arises between light and dark, black and white, square and circle, horizontal and vertical. The own meanings of the elements, are enriched by their relationship with the others, and together are a quest for expressive completeness and unity. ( artist's website)