SIO

Photo by Julia Zander - www.juliazander.com

I grew up close to the Baltic Sea in Poland in a developing neighborhood of the city Gdynia where remnants from WWII could still be found in the ground. In 1992 my family and I immigrated to Canada.

I choose Ontario College or Art & Design (OCAD) as a means of continuing my post-secondary education. In my third year at OCAD I completed a year and a half drawing meditation “The Infernal Machine” from which the concept of being “Split Into One” (Sio) emerged. I graduated in 2005 with a Drawing & Painting diploma.

My goal to become an artist solidified during an expedition to the Burning Man Festival where I realized the limitless potential for art to manifest itself in terms of space, materials and audience. Since the festival I find myself engaged in a wide variety of projects which range from the very personal to group public projects, whether they are impromptu or researched based. It is the process of communicating ideas through art and their reception which fascinates and drives me. I am continuously pushing for imaginative ways of reaching and engaging people with art with the intention of triggering discussion and critical thought.

Currently my focus is on Dodalism, a developing creative philosophy and practice aimed at unconstrained output and input of recorded thought.

Why SIO?

During a year and a half drawing meditation on love, chaos and nothingness titled “The Infernal Machine” the concept of being “Split Into One” emerged. I later chosen Sio, as an abbreviation of “Split Into One” to represent my creative work.

“Split-Into-One” hints at the notion that separate even opposing forces make up the whole. The whole exists only because it is made up of seemingly separate parts, in turn, the whole is “split into one”. During a recent research process covering H.P. Blavatsky for “The Players” body of work, I came across a concept in ancient theology which exemplifies my artistic expression: “The creative, the conservative and the transforming…who are…again and ever blended into one.”*

As a Gemini and a person with a dual citizenship, the concept of being “Split into one” relates to the idea of dualities. In eastern philosophy, it is known that opposing qualities such as black & white, peacemaker & fighter, love & hate are codependent and cannot exist in the absence of the other. My creative work explores different ways of expressing these dualities in symbiosis.

The final aspect of Sio is the underlining of the “o”, symbolizing the rising sun. It is my subtle way of paying homage to the oriental arts and philosophy which have been an important influence on my artistic and personal development.

* Isis Unveiled: a Master-Key to the mysteries of ancient and modern science and theology.vol.1.-Science,H.P. Blavatsky
Theosophical University press [1998] pg. xvii.

SIO – Artistic Process

Photo by Karol Orzechowski - www.decipherimages.com

There are four key elements in my artistic practice:

1. The subject
2. Materials and mediums
3. The space in which the work is found
4. Budget & Time-frame

The subject
When the subject of the work is not based on personal experience a significant portion of my time is spent on research. The research is comprised of reading books, internet, documentary films, image searches and in some cases traveling to locations relevant to the work.

Materials and mediums
I strive to have hands on understanding of the materials and mediums used in the creation of my work. Over the years, I have experimented with multiple artistic and fabrication techniques such as optical mixing, reverse glass painting,  stream of consciousness drawing, printmaking, edge jointing, welding, grain matching, etc.

The space in which the work is found
The space in which the work is found is very important in my creative process. In the past, I have designed and built custom frames as well as display systems ranging from stretched canvass to portable galleries. My art installation and public art/performance incorporates theatrical techniques, guerrilla art practices, advertising and marketing strategies.

Budget & Time-frame
It is always my goal to balance the cost and time with intent and end vision of the art piece. I have worked on many personal, group and commercial projects that have enriched my methodical process and taught me the importance of organization and time management when executing a new project.