ABOUT EWA MATYJA
Ewa Matyja grew up in a small town on the north side of Poland. Raised by her four older sisters, her house was continuously filled with energy indeed.
Ewa approached creativity at the age of six when she attended some art classes. Today she sees those times as if she was seeding and watering a plant that finally grew throughout the years.
Hello Ewa, can you briefly describe what you do and tell something about your technique?
I am an abstract contemporary artist. I focus on large paintings, using mixed techniques. Mostly, each series is inspired by the place I currently live. I tend to work on a series of paintings, to explore different media on each piece, I mainly work with acrylic paint, charcoal, pastels, mixed with collages, using raw, unprimed canvases, and papers where their natural look can be a piece of art itself.
And what drives you to make art?
I worked at sales for a fashion retail company for most of my life and I knew I need to find a way to get out of my comfort zone and fully focus on painting. Once I managed to do it, I knew I would dedicate fully every day of my life to it. I’m extremely grateful for the ability to do what I love. Art gave me incredible possibilities to travel the world, meet amazing people, connect, and tell my story visually.
Having a chance to create something that was never seen before can be thrilling, exciting but mostly beautiful. I will never give up on it.
What is the main feature that has changed in your works throughout the years?
For me, painting is about exploring new techniques, mediums, and materials. Over a year ago I finally got good enough to allow myself to work with negative space to reveal raw canvas as a part of my paintings. To finally feel comfortable and strong enough to show what was usually covered through many layers of paint felt great. It gave me many new opportunities and new challenges to face. It is an exciting process to watch and experiment with.
How long have you been working in this field?
I am into art since my childhood but began painting full time only 4 years ago when I quitted my corporate job and lifestyle. Today I follow the journey of discovering, testing, failing, and learning, an ongoing process to create better art.
Which artists most affected your work?
I admire so many artists for their talent, skills, and imagination and feel inspired by looking at their work. The ones that mostly affect my work are those who show courage with their art practice. The ones who break the rules, or don’t follow the rules, who try and examine in their own way, no matter what an art world will think about it. Starting with iconic artists like Cy Twombly, Basquiat, Willem De Kooning, Helen Frankenthaler, and many others like them.
And what, outside visual arts, inspires your practice?
The current places I live in inspire me mainly, as well as the most unexpected little corners of the streets, architecture, culture, people, nature. We are surrounded by beauty at every single corner and it is up to us how we perceive the world around us. The shapes of the waves created by the ocean, the amazing light given by the morning mist, the cracks on old buildings’ walls, or the textures of stones and sand. It’s all like a melody to me, that I am trying to recreate in my paintings in my own way.
Ewa, is there a specific way in which you would like people to engage with your work?
I wish the viewer may feel the emotions that I fill the painting with. I hope they can discover new elements in each painting. There are many layers in each piece and each of them represents a current state of emotions and feelings, and I hope for those who see my work also to capture this.
Finally, do you have anything exciting on the horizon?
There are many exciting projects planned for the near future, but because of the current pandemic situation, several exhibitions that were planned for the first months of 2020 were canceled or postponed. I prefer not to reveal too much and focus on creating new art. The best way to stay up to date with new exhibitions and plans is to follow me on Instagram, where I share all the news.
We will! But where do you see yourself in the future?
I would love to see my future self in a big bright studio, surrounded by art, artists, and friends. I wish the studio to be a place where we can gather, paint together, exchange ideas and thoughts.
To view more of Ewa Matyja’s work, visit her website.
