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Henryk: The Evolution from Fashion to Fine Art
Henryk’s artistic journey began in an unexpected way, transforming a career setback into a newfound passion. A renowned fashion photographer, Henryk found his creative output at a standstill during the COVID-19 lockdown when his photography work came to an abrupt halt. Seizing the moment, he pivoted to a different medium—painting, a form of expression he had long been curious about. With time on his hands and a strong desire to create, he bought art supplies and began experimenting. His early work was primarily an exploration of textures and the material limits of paint, pushing the boundaries until he found the delicate balance between surface tension and artistic freedom. What began as personal exploration quickly evolved, and within weeks, his work found an audience. The sale of his first painting for $900 marked the beginning of his new creative identity, one that would soon eclipse his former career in fashion photography.
Transitioning to painting allowed Henryk to tap into a different kind of artistic energy. While fashion photography had always demanded a high level of precision and design, painting gave him the freedom to embrace spontaneity and abstraction. He speaks of his process as deeply connected to his emotional state, waiting for the right mental space before beginning a piece. His painting process involves quick, decisive movements—actions guided by instinct rather than premeditation. By using the wetness of the paint to his advantage, Henryk’s work captures moments of pure energy, translating his feelings into texture and color. This approach to creation feels almost like an act of release, a far cry from the structured world of fashion shoots, and it’s this raw, unfiltered energy that resonates so strongly in his work.
The initial constraints of the lockdown gave Henryk an unexpected creative outlet, one that has since become his primary form of expression. Through painting, he has embraced a more experimental and fluid method, allowing his creative instincts to lead the way. This new chapter in his life has opened doors that extend beyond photography’s structured boundaries, proving that his artistic vision can evolve in ways he hadn’t imagined before.
Henryk: Mastering Texture and Movement
Henryk’s use of texture sets him apart from many contemporary artists. His materials—concrete, polymers, and gels—lend his paintings a visceral quality that demands attention. Working with these unconventional mediums, he creates a tactile experience that pulls the viewer into the work, not just visually but physically, through the dynamic interplay of materials. Henryk’s approach to texture is both intuitive and highly technical. For example, he adjusts his mixtures to achieve varying levels of height and depth, using less wet polymer for a high lift or more for a smoother finish. This intricate balancing act requires both careful planning and the ability to react quickly, as drying times become a crucial factor in his larger pieces. Each stroke is a rapid decision, an instinctual move that captures a fleeting moment in time.
What makes Henryk’s work truly compelling is his mastery of movement and gesture. Each piece feels alive, as if the textures are in constant motion, barely contained within the canvas. The use of quick, almost impulsive gestures gives his work a sense of urgency, a rawness that heightens the viewer’s experience. The intensity of his process—capturing energy in its purest form—imbues his paintings with a vibrancy that speaks to both chaos and control. His decision to let each layer dry for days before returning to add color demonstrates his meticulous attention to detail, balancing the spontaneity of creation with the patience required to achieve his desired effect.
By the time color enters the equation, the texture has already set the tone. Henryk doesn’t just apply color; he lets it react to the surface, enhancing or softening the texture as needed. His method of making his own paints ensures that the vibrancy and intensity he desires are fully realized. Each hue interacts with the texture to either complement or contrast the underlying structure. The result is a highly immersive work that plays with both the viewer’s sense of sight and touch, allowing them to interpret the emotions and energy behind each piece.
The Intersection of Balance and Boldness
Balance, texture, and color form the foundation of Henryk’s work, and his background in graphic design plays a pivotal role in how he navigates these elements. Balance, in particular, is second nature to him, an instinctive part of his creative process. It’s a skill he honed early in his career, and now, it is so ingrained in his approach that he no longer needs to consciously think about it. The balance in his pieces provides a structural integrity that grounds even the most chaotic of textures. While the textures themselves may push boundaries—ranging from smooth and flowing to jagged and uneven—the underlying balance remains steady, creating harmony within each composition.
Color, on the other hand, is more reactive and fluid. Once Henryk has established the texture, he approaches color with a fresh eye, allowing the work to evolve organically. His use of custom-made paints gives him the control he needs to ensure that the colors pop with the right amount of intensity. Whether he opts for soft, muted tones or bold, striking hues, each color choice is designed to interact with the texture in a way that amplifies the emotional resonance of the piece. The contrasts between jagged textures and soft color or smooth surfaces and bold hues create a visual tension that draws the viewer deeper into the artwork.
Henryk’s ability to integrate boldness within a balanced framework is what gives his work its unique power. The interplay between strong textures and vibrant colors creates a dynamic tension that keeps the viewer engaged. Each piece feels like a dance between chaos and order, where every stroke and color decision is both spontaneous and calculated. His work speaks to a larger artistic philosophy—one that embraces unpredictability while maintaining an underlying sense of structure. This balance between freedom and control is what makes his art so compelling, providing a visual experience that is as thoughtful as it is visceral.
Henryk: Beyond the Canvas
Henryk’s rise as a self-taught artist has been nothing short of remarkable. His ability to break traditional rules and explore new territories has allowed him to carve out a distinct space within the art world. Free from the constraints of formal training, he approaches his work with a sense of curiosity and fearlessness, unafraid to push boundaries or challenge conventions. This freedom has led to a series of significant achievements, including high-profile partnerships with galleries like Tappan Collective and the display of his work in renowned venues such as Fouquet’s New York. His self-taught background, rather than hindering him, has become one of his greatest strengths, enabling him to create art that feels fresh, bold, and unapologetically unique.
Fashion photography, Henryk’s original creative medium, continues to influence his artistic practice. The skills he developed in that world—particularly his understanding of color, composition, and balance—have seamlessly transitioned into his painting. The boldness and confidence often found in fashion editorials are evident in the hues and textures he works with today. Henryk’s use of color, in particular, is deeply rooted in his photographic background, drawing from the same palette of striking tones that once dominated his editorial work. The interplay between these two worlds—fashion and fine art—adds an extra layer of depth to his paintings, making his pieces not just visually engaging but also conceptually rich.
As Henryk looks to the future, he remains open to the evolving landscape of art and technology. While he has dabbled in AI-generated art and NFTs, he views them as exploratory tools rather than replacements for traditional mediums. For Henryk, art is about creating something tangible, something real that people can connect with on a physical and emotional level. His work, deeply textural and immersive, invites viewers to experience art in its most raw and authentic form. Whether through paint, concrete, or digital platforms, Henryk’s vision is firmly rooted in the power of human connection—a testament to his belief that art, at its core, must always feel real.
For more images, please check Henryk’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/henryk.studio/
