Shang_garden, mixed media 31 x 20 x 2 inches / 80 x 50 x 5 cm. Photo courtesy of the gallery

The solo exhibition by the contemporary artist  is focused around a series of abstract portraits

The works are painted on paper with a coating of acrylic mixed with a large amount of water - a technique that adds deformity to the paper giving it a sculptural character. The portraits explore the essential theme of Bilecki's abstract figurative large format works, based on a theme which oscillates between abstraction and figuration, grand emphasis and calm composure, strong and moderate color palettes, richness in detail and magnificent gesture.

Bilecki's works never submit to their surroundings but rather seem to take possession of the space and transform it. The mysterious faces that emerge from the paper are striking for their irrepressible, overwhelming energy that derives from the artist's overriding need to create. This gives rise to an extraordinary communicative strength that confronts audiences' with the pure creative power of Tadeusz Bilecki.

Tadeusz Bilecki (b. 1951 in Lodz) lives and works in Switzerland since 1983. In 1976 he received his MFA from The Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow. His work has previously been exhibited at Honen-In Gallery, Kyoto; E|C Gallery, Chicago; Calibri Gallery Osaka and AF Gallery Colombo.

This is Bilecki's second solo show with the gallery. The exhibition is on display from the 27th of January till the 25th of February 2012 at the EC Gallery in Chicago.

EC Gallery
215 N. Aberdeen
Chicago IL 60607
312.850.0924
ec-gallery.com

Source: press materials