Capturing my eye at the L.A. Art Show opening last night, the optical art of Polish-born artist Julian Stanczak, on display by Santa Fe’s David Richard Contemporary art gallery. The show, at the Convention Center — L.A.’s own contribution to urban blight — is on through the weekend.
| Shifting Square, 1973 acrylic on canvas 30 x 30 inches |
Translucent Light, 1970 acrylic on canvas 24 x 30 inches |
College Green, 1987 acrylic on canvas 70 x 70 inches |
The artist’s biography bears publishing because they don’ t make ’em like this anymore.
1928
Born in Borownica, Poland.
1940-42
Concentration camp, Perm, Siberia. Permanently lost the use of right arm (had been right-handed). After escaping from the camp, joined and then deserted from the Polish army-in-exile.
Wandered alone through the Middle East before rejoining family in Teheran, Persia (Iran).
1942-48
Polish refugee camp, Uganda, Africa. First private art lessons.
1948-50
Went to Borough Polytechnic Institute in London, England.
1950
Emigrated to the United States.
1954
Recieved BFA from the Cleveland Institute of Art.
1956
Became United States citizen.
Completed MFA at Yale University, studying under Josef Albers and
Conrad Marca Relli.
1995
Retired after 38 years of teaching. Resides in Seven Hills, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland.