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“My work results from all these experiences and from the belief that art is a form of dialogue with the world treated as an integral whole. From observing the world to its creation.”
A Journey from Poland to Berlin
Martin B., also known by his pseudonyms Marcin Barysz and Martin Barysch, is a highly accomplished and multifaceted artist hailing from the small town of Mikołów, Poland. Born in 1957, he made the bold decision to leave his homeland in 1985, convinced that the concept of national borders and country distinctions were becoming increasingly irrelevant in the modern world. After several relocations, he ultimately settled in the vibrant and culturally rich city of Berlin, where he has pursued a diverse array of professional pursuits.
Throughout his career, Martin B. has exhibited a remarkable versatility, showcasing his talents as an IT specialist, publisher, translator, photographer, graphic designer, actor, director, poet, art craftsman, decorator, entrepreneur, warehouseman, and even meditation and yoga teacher. These various experiences have indelibly shaped his art, which is deeply grounded in the belief that it serves as a form of dialogue with the world as a holistic entity. From observation to creation, Martin B.’s works have been recognized and celebrated in private and public collections across the globe, from Poland and Germany, to Canada, Sweden, the Netherlands, Great Britain, and Italy. He signs his work simply with his name, Martin B.
Martin B.’s Vigrafia Technique
Despite his strong connections to his birthplace, Martin B. chooses to not place an undue emphasis on his origin, an attitude that has allowed him to cultivate a greater degree of creative freedom in his endeavors. This freedom is further nurtured by the cosmopolitan environment of Berlin, which serves as a constant source of inspiration for Martin B. and his work.
Martin B. is a masterful artist who specializes in a highly innovative technique he has coined “Vigrafia.” This method combines the use of digital collage with elements of traditional and digital art, resulting in a multidimensional and dynamic form of graphic expression.
Vigrafia is best understood as a form of graphics rendered within a virtual space, through the placement of various components in tandem and superimposition, and the application of computer techniques to bring them together in a cohesive whole. The final outcome of Martin B.’s works is not pre-determined, but rather emerges organically through his engagement with the work. The artist begins with an initial idea, selecting specific elements to use, and then allowing the work to evolve through an interactive process of action and reaction. Each alteration made in the work, no matter how small, leads to a chain reaction of further changes, bringing the work to its ultimate state.
Martin B.’s artistic vision is centered around the belief that every minuscule aspect of reality is interconnected and forms a part of a greater, unified whole, and that individual existence is nothing more than an illusion. He creates artwork to explore this idea, and the intricate and dynamic process he employs in his work reflects this deeply held belief.
Martin B.’s Eclectic Approach to Artistic Excellence
Martin B. is a visionary artist who does not subscribe to the notion of a single primary influence in his work. Instead, he embraces an eclectic approach to creating art, drawing inspiration from the world around him and the vast tapestry of human history. He has been deeply moved by the rock paintings of Lascaux, the masterful works of Pieter Bruegel and the post-impressionists such as Paul Gauguin, the emotive expressionism of Egon Schiele, the abstraction and energy of Jackson Pollock, and the contemporary artist Anselm Kiefer.
Martin B. approaches his craft with a sense of purpose, driven by a relentless pursuit of artistic excellence. He understands that true mastery is a product of dedicated practice, observation, and experimentation. He is willing to embrace repeated attempts, accepting both failure and success as valuable opportunities for growth and learning. Unlike many artists, he does not fixate on the pursuit of perfection, instead he prioritizes the exploration of new techniques and approaches, always remaining open to experimentation as a means of expanding his artistic capabilities. He knows that the lessons gleaned from failed works are often the most instructive and serve as the foundation upon which to refine his craft over time.
Self-Portraits and Tree-Inspired Works: The Ambition and Challenge of the “Chess Gambit”
Martin B. exudes a profound sense of pride and contentment in his series of self-portraits, which encapsulate a wide spectrum of emotional states. Furthermore, the artist finds a powerful connection in his tree-inspired works, particularly those that evoke the serene beauty and starkness of winter, as the leaves fall from the branches. B. draws parallels between the bare branches of trees and the human nervous and circulatory systems, as well as the branching structure of rivers and their tributaries.
While Martin B. does not possess a singular, all-consuming dream project that has captured his imagination and ambition, there is a particular endeavor that has occupied his thoughts and efforts for several years, referred to as the “Chess Gambit.” This ambitious undertaking is envisioned as a massive, multi-faceted installation, comprising sixty-four individual elements that resemble a grand chessboard. Despite making substantial progress on this endeavor over time, creating a considerable number of pieces and discarding others along the way, the project has proven to be a formidable challenge. He describes it as more of a curse than a dream, as he is cognizant of the fact that he may not be able to complete it. However, he embraces the idea that the work can take on a life of its own, and is open to the unknown outcome of the Chess Gambit project.
