“Twilight dimming the human inner self” - Interview with Julia ‘Mary’ Korzeniowska.
Julia ‘Mary’ Korzeniowska is a young artist who creates painterly works set in the darkness of surrealism. She is self-taught and began her adventure with paint during the pandemic. In her works we can perceive many mysteries, hidden under metaphors and darkness. More than once is surrealism arouses the thought of the mystery her paintings may conceal. Julia combines darkness with beauty, allowing us to delve into the interior of the human being, where the light of hope does not always reach. She hides many unexplained issues as well as things. They visualise for us the answers to the questions that circulate in our minds from time to time, often subconsciously. If you are curious how time, dilemmas and the depths of human existence can be interpreted, find out more about Julia's work, as well as the author herself - in our interview.
Detective Ann:
Let's start by saying that whenever we take a peek into your gallery of works, we see a lot of darkness, but also interconnecting themes. You even have a series of your own paintings. Where did the idea for your works and their theme come from?
Mary:
My work and what it wants to convey is based on such ulterior motives that are in each of us. The kind of human dilemmas that are rarely talked about. The idea for them is a resultant of aesthetic attempts and trying to encapsulate a particular feeling or insight into some coherent image. At this point I feel quite confident in my style but I am still experimenting, I don't want to limit myself to one image scheme but the connecting threads remain the same, human - his absurd and dark side and an incomprehensible world full of contradictions.
Detective Ann:
When creating works filled with hidden themes, what do you feel when you create? Are you accompanied by any particular emotions that you pour out in your works through expression?
Mary:
I used to feel this way when painting my ‘The Thinkers’. These figures were an emotional outpouring. Now I approach painting with a much cooler head and it is no longer just art therapy for me but a thoughtful process. Of course, there are still emotions in the paintings, and lots of them, but they are much more structured.
Detective Ann:
There is probably a lot of emotion in them, the darkness alone makes one start to think about what the author was feeling, let alone the viewer themselves. However, I'm curious about the process of creating your paintings. Are you accompanied by a main idea, or do you go with the so-called flow? Is there a discipline involved, or do you wait for the creative urge?
Mary:
Yes, I sit down to paint with at least the nucleus of an idea and either I already have a whole plan or I go with the flow and paint it on the fly looking for solutions for inspiration etc. I don't know if it's the discipline or the verve because I paint every day, I rarely have breaks but I think it's probably the verve because I don't force myself to paint as much as I might with such harsh discipline.
Detective Ann:
What are you usually inspired by? Do you have any particular things, trends or any favourite artists in a similar style?
Mary:
Firstly, it's observations from everyday life. Reflecting on everyday life and observing others and what's going on in the world. That's how ‘Prism of Perspective’ came about, for example, it's an eye with a prism in the middle. It is my response to the cult of opinion, to people's illusory certainty that they are right about something or know the truth. Also, for inspiration, I listen to science podcasts because I am very interested in the world of biology and physics - especially at the lowest molecular level. I am also inspired by culture, I read a lot, I also like good cinema and a good TV series, but I am rarely inspired by anything. When it comes to artists I am not inspired by anyone that regularly, or I try to. The only example of inspiration from another artist is the painting ‘This is not an Apple’ where the idea is actually taken from the famous Magritte pipe.
Detective Ann:
Sounds interesting, you have a lot of sources of inspiration which is really good for your creativity as well as probably perseverance in the artistic world. However, if you were to visualise your creative process for your readers, how would you describe it? What does your day look like, your preparation process and your creative process?
Mary:
Oh interestingly, first of all coffee without that I don't go to the easel. Music in the background (anticipating questions I listen to a variety of pop and rock artists) or a science podcast. Sometimes I use references from Pinterest for things like to make sure the shape of the apple or its details are pretty much the real ones (I don't stick to them 100 per cent but it's good to see the differences and then introduce surrealism). Other than that, it's chaos. There are times when I paint over everything in the middle and start again but there are times when everything goes smoothly without backtracking.
Detective Ann:
If you had to choose just one theme, the subject of your paintings, that you would create for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Mary:
In that case, the apple as my grateful field of creation would be reworked in a million ways. But I am glad that I do not have to limit myself.
Detective Ann:
Without having to limit yourself, you can create many beautiful works. However, if you were to try and choose, what is your favourite piece of work that you have created?
Mary:
At the moment, ‘Night Mara carrying an apple’.
Detective Ann:
Talk about Mara... Do you also associate the name ‘Mary’ as your artistic nickname, or do you fully stay with your first and last name though? Additionally, where did the idea for Mary come from?
Mary:
I would like to use Mary alongside my first and last name as a whole and the idea is because my middle name is Maria, which I don't like the way it sounds in Polish but in English I like it a lot. And those Mary.... In Polish there is this beautiful play on words where I can use my nickname as an identity with images. Mary, or nightmares, is what I paint, because the subjects I take up are not easy, they are not pleasant and, although at first glance they are not very nightmarish, I don't think there is a person who has never felt overwhelmed and frightened thinking, for example, about the perception of matter and its being or not being.
Detective Ann:
A plan is a plan - may it succeed! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for that, as I'm looking forward to such a release of your work myself. Could you briefly put into words how your style was formed? Was it some kind of deeper process, or did you find your corner in painting quite quickly?
Mary:
As I said, it was the result of experimentation. First there was a black background as a constant in the works, then a gold frame and then figures with the outline of a person but no details. Then came the star motif, people really like that. Now I'm developing it by adding and changing it, I'm sure I'll go back to this style to see the progression, but I'm not limiting myself and I'm always looking for new things so it doesn't get boring.
Detective Ann:
Do you pursue other artistic disciplines besides painting? Maybe you draw or create poetry? I'm curious.
Mary:
No, I don't create anything else. Sometimes I try to make something out of hobbyist clay with moderate success.
Detective Ann:
I see, and are there any areas of art that you would like to try in the nearer or further future? Have you thought about it?
Mary:
I would like to write a book or a volume of poetry one day. These are plans for the rather distant future.
Detective Ann:
As for the future - it's clear that you're actively pursuing painting. Do you plan to make a living out of being an artist, or treat it as a side thing? Additionally, are you planning any exhibitions? Do you sell your artwork?
Mary:
Yes it is a life plan. I can't imagine doing anything else at the moment. Side things are always cool but at the moment I don't have anything like that, but who knows who knows. Exhibitions by all means! My first solo one is coming up soon in the holidays and I'll probably give you the details soon. As for selling, I only sell paintings that are no longer top of mind for me and I don't see exhibitions with them. I am currently selling paintings from the beginning of my painting i.e. 2023 where these works were already cool but now for me they are not enough. Some of the older works I paint over but if I think something is good enough for someone to have it in their home then I sell it. I currently sell in the online gallery ApeironArte if anyone is interested :).
Detective Ann:
Then we look forward to hearing from you! When it comes to fine arts, do you have what is your favourite painting or artist? Or at least a favourite direction in painting? Would it be surrealism.
Mary:
Yes, surrealism above all. Favourite artists are Beksinski, Lewandowski, Magritte, Dali from the currently living ones just for the sake of speed, I really like the Powałka brothers and Paweł Sobczak.
Detective Ann:
Coming back to you and your work, if you were to recommend a painting of yours to newcomers to start their adventure with your art, which one would it be?
Mary:
I don't think there is one, you have to enter this world right away with all of them one by one. It's a constantly unfolding story from which it's hard to take out the individual elements.
Detective Ann:
Finally, I would still like to ask you a basic question. What is your favourite colour?
Mary:
Black, of course!
Detective Ann:
Anything else you would like to add from you at the very end for the readers?
Mary:
I know my art is not for everyone but if you have at least some taste for dark atmospheres, mysterious blackness, are fascinated by the cosmos and existence in general then I think you will find something for you. I encourage you to keep an eye on me because my work is a constant development and novelty, so much so that I myself don't know what the next paintings will bring and looking back I'm shocked at how it's all evolving.
Detective Ann:
Thank you immensely for being willing to give me an interview! I wish you lots of creative inspiration, creative growth and above all - joy in the process itself!
Mary:
Thank you! You too!
Meet the artist on her page!
Interview for PoetrA by Detective Ann (AmeCuore)
