Kordyan II, 2005 Pencil, charcoal, pages from "Pisma" by Juliusz Slowacki published in 1882, and glue on rice paper. 48 x 74 inches. Photo: Michael Mandel. Collection Asher Remy-Toledo. Courtesy Lehman College Art Gallery, Bronx, New York. (left)
Photo: Hermann Feldhaus. Courtesy Lehman College Art Gallery, Remy Toledo Gallery, New York, and Galerie Samuel Lallouz, Montreal.(right)
Kordyan Series, 2005
Charcoal, pencil, and pages from "Pisma" by Juliusz Slowacki on rice paper
Photo: Hermann Feldhaus. Courtesy Lehman College Art Gallery, Remy Toledo Gallery, New York, and Galerie Samuel Lallouz, Montreal
In this new body of drawings on Japanese rice paper with collaged pages from "Pisma" (1882), by Polish poet Juliusz Slowacki, the artist depicts stretched
female figures viewed frontally or from their profile. Confined within the narrow space of the paper, the figures seem as if they are falling down or asleep.
"The Body of the Dead Christ in the Tomb" by Hans Holbein (1522) inspired one of the images, hung in a raised position. According to historical sources,
the work was originally hung high above eye-level, as part of a Hans Oberried's altar in Basel.
"Kordyan" is the title of a poetic play from "Pisma" by Juliusz Slowacki, a major 19th century Romantic poet.
