Anna Siek
I completed my bachelor’s degree in 1999, at the Faculty of Graphics at the Institute of Art in Kankaanpää, Finland, where I made a diploma in the lithography studio of Prof. Anna Alapuro.
In 2001 I obtained my master’s degree at the Faculty of Graphics of the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow – in the copperplate engraving studio of prof. Stanisław Wejman.
I live and work in Siedlec near Krakow, where my art studio is located and as well in Horne in Denmark.
I create my works using both workshop graphics, painting and sculpture techniques.
The themes of my work concern nature, the world around us, and seemingly ordinary phenomena; also personal experiences and emotions. This search for the right form and color that reflects emotions and ideas is a kind of guide to my own world of feelings and perceptions.
The world of nature, often hidden from our eyes, is an endless inspiration for me and a source of search for structures and forms.
Creating graphics is a specific process, where a large part of the work is devoted to technique and planning of the matrix production.
However, the beginning of the process is a simple sketch, an idea, which serves as a starting point for further transformations in terms of form, color and texture.
A dialogue takes place between the yet unexpressed thought and matter, in this case graphic matter.
When making graphics, I often use and combine various graphic and painting techniques such as lithography, drypoint, etching, watercolor, pastel.
I also sometimes go back to previously made prints and continue working so that they “speak” again.
In my artistic expressions, I use both shape and colors, which have a symbolic message, and the figure itself, from whose gestures and posture we can read a lot.
The people shown in my graphics and paintings are eternally caught between the spiritual and material worlds, they are a wanderer who travels through two worlds, often very far apart, but still seeks answers to questions about his own existence and destiny.
Mikael Larsen
Danish artist, cartoonist, illustrator.
The artist’s fascination with drawing and the possibilities offered by this seemingly modest technique has always accompanied him.
Mikael Larsen received his artistic education both at the Danish University of Arts and Crafts in Karteminde and at the Polish Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow.
The themes of Mikael Larsen’s works touch the world of fairy tales of his compatriot Chans Christian Andersen, as well he reaches for topics related to ordinary life, the human psyche, and is always inspired by beautiful architecture and nature, which is very characteristic for Danish landscape, that he always treats in an original way.
The colors used by the artist are unique and attract attention. The abundance of shades, warm and cold colors work perfectly together, creating a harmonious whole. Mikael Lasen often uses subtle shades and chiaroscuro in his works, which add three-dimensionality and depth.
Mikael Larsen skillfully uses drawing techniques to create expressive and realistic images. His ability to convey detail and depth makes each of his drawings come to life.
You can also feel this specific type of poetic fantasy in Mikael Larsen’s works, which takes us into the extraordinary world of his imagination.
The specific Danish landscape with a typical island character and unique architecture also play an important role in the artist’s work, often appearing in his drawings.
Inspired by everyday life, the artist creates a new shape of reality, combining contrasting entities in a very subtle way, asking questions, making us laugh, surprising us or forcing us to reflect on our life.
The color drawing technique that Mikael Larsen uses in his works is tedious and time-consuming , but it perfectly expresses his sensitivity and perception of the world and the changes taking place in it, that we all are witnesses.
Mikael Larsen’s works can be found in many private collections in Denmark and Scandinavia.
