Metamorphosis - The In Between

Sea Holly is delighted to introduce to you Konrad Pawlaszek – Artist, Educator and Pedagogue. Pawlaszek studied Fine Arts in Lublin (Poland) before moving on to study in Humanities and Arts, also in Lublin. In 2001 Pawlaszek was awarded First Class Honours in Culture Management (Bachelors degree) from Marie Curie-Skłodowska University (Poland). His passion for learning and education then took him on to earn a post-graduate Masters in Education from the Faculty of Education and Psychology also at Marie Curie-Skłodowska University (Poland).

Konrad has worked with Barnardo’s and also The Red Cross in Northern Ireland, providing crucial support to some of the most vulnerable and marginalised individuals and families in the country. In the midst of this he still finds time to create, and has had several exhibitions across Northern Ireland, both shared and solo. He was one of the artists who contributed so significantly to Sea Holly’s ‘Art and Proud’ exhibition in August this year. Pawlaszek’s work is contemporary, bold, stirring and above all else thought-provoking.

“Metamorphosis – the In Between” by Konrad Pawlaszek

Hello, my name is Konrad Pawlaszek.

A series of contemporary paintings presenting my current view of my surroundings and circumstances, reflecting on 14 years of my life lived in Northern Ireland.

Expressing a love of nature, catalysed by a movement away from human and social interaction as a focus point, due to an increasingly hostile social climate and politically divisive situation here.

Due to this increasingly hostile culture and narrowing worldview, my work represents a trip to the “other”; invisible worlds in my imagination, yet still connected with my reality.  You can never separate yourself fully from the real world.

Our vision is impaired by barriers we teach ourselves, obscuring different aspects and experiences in favour of the routine, the expected, the learned viewpoint.  With this collection, I have tried to catch my moments, thoughts and reflections unfiltered, and to inspire the viewers’ imagination and stretch their perceptions.

Mankind has always chased the limits of perception and altering of the mind to explain their situation, and accept their place in the world; be it through spiritual, meditative or hedonistic means. I have used these pieces to reconnect in a world that increasingly strips the humanity or individualism from life.

Thank you for listening.

Konrad Pawlaszek