Welcome, or Newsletter #0

It might take a while to get this thing going, but here I am, here we go...

So. Welcome. So, welcome! So welcome!

I am about to start my Newsletter. And this is the first instance of it.

First, a few words about my intentions, motivations as well as my limits.

Sure, I aim to share information on my current and upcoming exhibitions, projects, talks and more. But beside that I also want to reach out and articulate my thoughts to open a passage between my studio and the world outside. In other words, creating a bridge connecting the shores of non-verbal thoughts, reflections and ideas influencing and shaping my practice with those who might relate or find it for any reason not a waste of (their) time.

Yes, it will be a bit irregular newsletter. And one from a non-writer too, for whom English is a second language. Think of it as a home-baked cookie with some unusual ingredients without a precise recipe in an oven with unstable fire. Quite a messy metaphor, I admit it. But hope a bit crunchy too.

Why now?

A simple answer is that it feels like a natural extension of the journey I am on.

I’ve been playing with the idea for some time as I’ve been jotting down some fragments of thoughts gathered from all over the place. It’s time to give it a shape.

Frankly, it’s a desire for an authentic connection.

And despite all the social media there is actually less of it. It’s partly because of continual and unpredictable algorithm changes and their overall fast-paced flow which many of us are tired of. But there is a deeper crisis of communication, connectivity and meaning we all are facing, I suppose, and the social media are just one of the symptoms. This is not to oppose the idea of social medias. I am actively using most of the main ones. But their limits are becoming clear and obvious. Besides they were never intended to dig deeper anyway.

For now I’ll stop here. It’s supposed to be a short welcome post but it’s already longer than I expected. Somehow I needed to clarify my intention and reasons for it.

It won’t be this long next time. Promise.

Please stay on board and enjoy!

*Jan

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What’s on, what’s upcoming and where to find it:

‘A Conjured Land’ (2022, 51 x 41 cm, oil on linen) - on view at Amart Galerie, Vienna

• Current: Group exhibition at Amart Galerie in Vienna (until 3rd September)

  titled Vorsicht Farbe (translates as Beware Colour)

‘Suddenly Ungrounded’ (2022, 160 x 135 cm, oil on linen) - on view at Elysium Gallery, Swansea

• Current: BEEP Painting Biennial at Elysium Gallery in Swansea (until 10th September)

  The 2022 Biennal is titled Nothing has changed, everything has changed

• Upcoming: group exhibition at the Gallery of Slovak Radio titled Slovak Painting 2000 - 2022, a comprehensive survey of contemporary Slovak painting featuring 35 artists selected by 9 independent curators. From 20th September until 25th November in Bratislava, Slovakia

• Upcoming: Art Vienna - International Art Fair with Amart Gallery, 16th - 18th September 2022, Schönbrunn Castle, Vienna

• More to come including group show at Terrace Gallery (London, Oct - Nov); Jan Valik’s profile at AucArt; new studio near Tower of London with V.O Curations,

• Interview with Jan Valik on his recent paintings and practice in London Paint Club Magazine (Issue 1, August 2022, London)

London Paint Club Magazine cover, Issue 1 featuring 8 pages on Jan Valik’s practice. ©London Paint Club and the artists, 2022

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