A Fusion of Art and Spirituality in Recycled Oil Paintings by Wiesław Sadurski
Embark on a unique artistic journey with my one-of-a-kind paintings, crafted meticulously from dried remnants of oil paints. These creations are not just visually striking but also deeply symbolic, reflecting on consciousness and spiritual insights.
Over a decade, I meticulously collected dried oil paint crumbs from my palette, preserving these colorful pieces to give birth to an extraordinary art form. Each painting in this series is a testament to innovative recycling, transforming discarded materials into profound art pieces that narrate stories of the human spirit and consciousness.
From the abstract representation of different states of consciousness to insightful interpretation of Jesus, these artworks are an invitation to contemplate and delve into the depths of spirituality and artistic expression.
Little Man with a Great Fullness Above, Recycling Oil Painting on canvas 100 x 130 cm
In "Little Man with a Great Fullness Above" I stand humbly, a mere silhouette against the enormity of the universe. The great circle above, composed of countless colors and pieces, mirrors the complex cosmos - each fragment a star, a story, a piece of the grand tapestry of life. This circle of infinity arches over me, a reminder of the vastness above and within, urging me to acknowledge the greatness that resides in the smallest of forms.
Summer 1983, I created this Little Man. But only two years later, summer 1985, I prepared eight square canvases for a new concept. Recycling. Technically it looked so: canvas on the floor, partly - where it was needed - painted with thick white primer, then dried colorful oil crumbs were placed onto it.
Navigating Consciousness and Spirituality Through Art
State of Sleep, First Awakening, Awakened
Consciousness, State of Sleep, 1985, Original Recycling Oil Painting on canvas 75 x 75 cm
In "Consciousness, State of Sleep", I've rendered a visual lullaby, a myriad of speckled colors that rest like dreams upon the canvas. Each dot is a fragment of a slumbering thought, collectively forming a tapestry of restful oblivion.
Consciousness, First Awakening, 1985, Original Recycling Oil Painting on canvas 75 x 75 cm
In "Consciousness, First Awakening", I've captured the stirring moment of awareness. The canvas comes alive with a vortex of speckled hues converging towards a bright epicenter—the birthplace of enlightenment and conscious thought.
Consciousness Awakened, 1985, Original Recycling Oil Painting on canvas 80 x 80 cm
In "Consciousness Awakened", the painting embodies the full realization of the self. The chaotic fragments of sleep have coalesced into a serene clarity, encircling the untouched canvas that represents a mind awakened to its own infinite potential.
Meetings with Christ's Consciousness
First Meeting with Christ's Consciousness, 1985, Original Recycling Oil Painting on canvas 80 x 80 cm
"First Meeting with Christ's Consciousness" whispers the beginnings of an epiphany, where the cross, a symbol of universal connection and sacrifice, emerges from a constellation of scattered life moments. It is the first gentle stir of the soul, an invitation to seek beyond the veil of the ordinary towards the embrace of the infinite.
Second Meeting with Christ's Consciousness, 1985, Original Recycling Oil Painting on canvas 80 x 80 cm
In "Second Meeting with Christ's Consciousness" fragments of color converge to form the profound simplicity of a cross, suggesting a mosaic of human experiences unified in spiritual awakening. This work contemplates the collective journey toward a higher awareness, inviting a reflection on the multifaceted nature of our shared path to enlightenment.
Lord Jesus Christ: A Personal Reflection
My journey with religious and spiritual exploration began early. At twelve, I rebelled against church-going, only to find myself living in a monastery at thirteen, an experience that ended with my expulsion. This led me to study philosophy, embrace Zen teachings, practice Yoga, and immerse myself in various religious texts, including the New Testament, Upanishads, Tibetan mysticism, and modern physics. This eclectic mix of influences nurtured my spiritual growth.
One night, I had a profound dream. I lay weeping on wet earth, amidst a blend of eras: roaring motorbikes, Roman soldiers on horseback, all converging in time. This was more than a dream; it was a vivid experience of historical and emotional dimensions intertwining. There, in a distant land, they were crucifying Jesus — my brother, master, and embodiment of love — and I was helpless, overwhelmed by grief and despair.
This dream had a lasting impact on me, influencing my art deeply. One of the final pieces in this series is a depiction of Jesus. As I prepared the canvas, scraping the last bits of my recycled "material", an unexpected image emerged. The dried paint fragments seemed to dance on the canvas, forming various faces and silhouettes in the head-shaped space. This unexpected outcome led to the title 'Lord Jesus of Many Faces' — a tribute to the multifaceted interpretations and connections I felt to this spiritual figure.
This artwork, like the others in the series, is not just about religious iconography; it is about the intersection of spirituality, consciousness, and artistic expression. Paintings invite the viewer to explore these themes and find their own meaning within the recycled hues of oil paint.
Lord Jesus of Many Faces, 1985, Original Recycling Oil Painting on canvas 80 x 80 cm
The Painting "Lord Jesus of Many Faces"
Presents a fascinating vision of a spiritual figure, depicted using a recycling technique that adds both texture and a sense of depth. The face of Jesus is abstract and composed of many faceted forms and shades that evoke the diversity and unity of the divine. Each color and fragment represents a unique aspect of the human experience, suggesting that within the divine face lie the many faces of humanity.
The central figure, emerging from a bright, almost heavenly background, is a constellation of various spots and blobs of paint. This technique creates the impression of the sacred face as elusive and omnipresent, which resonates with the metaphysical concept that the sacred can be found in various aspects of life. It is a visual exploration of the multiplicity of the divine, the statement that every fragment, every person is part of the face of Jesus.
Moreover, the use of recycled materials fits into the themes of renewal and resurrection, which are key to Christian teachings. This work transcends traditional religious iconography to offer a contemporary, ecological interpretation that speaks to the cyclical nature of life, death and rebirth. It is both a celebration of diversity and a call to see the divine in all things, inviting the viewer to reflect on the interconnectedness of all beings under the gaze of the "Lord Jesus of Many Faces".
Aura of the Possible, 1985, Original Recycling Oil Painting on canvas 80 x 80 cm
“Aura of the Possible” features a square of pure white surrounded by an abundance of colorful recycled oil shards, representing the potential and vibration surrounding the void of possibility. A canvas of scattered fragments, the essence of hidden potential, pointing to a wide range of experiences just beyond our reach. It is an untouched space within us, a silence that waits for the next breath to sing.
White on White, 1990, Original Recycling Oil Painting on canvas 45 x 45 cm
"White on White" is a meditation on subtlety and sensation, an exploration of the textures and shadows that dwell within the color white. In this space of quietude, the whispers of existence are amplified, each nuance and gradation a gentle but profound statement on the nature of perception. It's where the simplicity of a monochrome palette opens a realm of complex reflections, a canvas that holds the light of a thousand unseen colors.
Morning Song, 1978
Original Oil and Recycling Painting on canvas 120 x 100 cm
In "Morning Song", I strove to capture the gentle embrace of dawn. The swirling blues at the center are like the deep breaths of the earth, surrounded by the soft glow of a waking sky. It’s a homage to the quiet moments when the world stirs to life, each stroke imbued with the promise of a new day.
Early 1978 I painted this Morning Song, contrasting many-layered brushwork with dried colorful oil crumbs. There are several paintings more like this one - on other