Paul Kowalewski, a Chicago artist born in 1957, entered the roofing trade after graduating high school. Although he excelled at his job, living life immersed in a high volume, dangerous, and very demanding trade, the quasi neurotic indulged in one of the unsuspected hazards of the job: slow and steady, almost stealth-like, the world of drugs and alcohol consumed him. For decades he wandered aimless and anesthetized. As corrupt behavior and drugs walk hand in hand, Paul’s transgressions intermittently interrupted his freedom, marking a path that would eventually lead to seven years in federal prison. Locked in the obscurity of his cell walls, Paul came to the realization that everything he had known, his notions that somehow life would magically fall into place, was nonsense. While out in the world, cursed with addiction, he isolated himself; while isolated in prison, blessed with time, he re-imagined himself and the world. No longer able to numb the emotional chaos within him, he found a new outlet on paper and canvas. Having no formal training and with no instruction, Paul began to create images, and he transformed himself into what he was perhaps always meant to be: an artist.
Sometime on September 10, 1957, having fallen frivolously off Starlight, the Corporeal began. Losing all possession of Spirit early on due to defect, I wandered aimlessly for decades. Transplanted to obscurity by the affects of Divine Intervention, I was given one opportunity to forgo inevitable demise. And for this, my fate is forever sealed. There is where the profound took hold. Here is where the Odyssey continues. Until the time arrives when I must crawl upon the Starlight once again.
Follow me at will…
I work in various mediums including graphite, oil paint, and color pencil. Graphite portraiture has been my mainstay. Abstract representation of the human face and figure make up my signature compositions. I have embraced Surrealism and Cubism but diverge from their traditional aspects. Intense color, bold patterns, and eye-catching geometric forms arranged through automatism and impulse rather than conscious structuring compose other pieces I have displayed. Unusual, out of the ordinary, or thoroughly strange intrinsically define the aesthetic nature of my work. To seize the observer’s line of vision and to mingle my art with their rationale is my objective. If I have been able to capture their gaze for any amount of time, I have accomplished the profound.