Johann Kralewski
Switzerland
Portrait: Johann Kralewski
In his work, Johann Kralewski explores the anti-intellectual art of Jean Dubuffet and his interpretation of Art Brut, as well as the emotionally charged, dramatic painting of Francis Bacon.
His working method is characterised by a combination of spontaneity and the simultaneous creation of different works using different techniques. He also creates complex spatial installations with sculptures and objects, complemented by dance and music performances.
Johann Kralewski spent his youth in the Silesian mining region and the Beskid Mountains in Poland. In Germany, and later in Switzerland, he studied metallurgy and obtained a degree in chemical engineering. He also trained as a photographer. For his impressive artistic career, he mastered the techniques of watercolour portraiture, oil painting and drawing, silkscreen, lithography and drawing.
Johann Kralewski: Hagia Triada 2024
Johann Kralewski: 'Hagia Triada' / Ceramic, leaf gold, enamel / 30x70x70 cm / 2024
«After the pilgrims and other black and white projects of the last 3 years, I had already developed a certain longing for more vivid work. The choice of ceramics for the Hagia Triada was almost pre-determined after some other smaller ceramic works and a holiday in Crete, visiting the archaeological site of the same name. For me, the vivid accents symbolise the feminine forms of the composition. But there is also something else in it; the dreams of women and the space to dream.» - Johann Kralewski
Johann Kralewski: Die Pilger (The Pilgrims), Fondazione Matasci per l'Arte 2021
Johann Kralewski: 'Die Pilger' / Fondazione Matasci per l'Arte, 2021
«The thoughts that I wrote down in relation to this installation only emerged as the project progressed. A lot of things became clear to me while I was working with the figures, but the quintessence, at least what I think it is, only became clear after everything was finished. For me, the appeal of this project is that it has a lot of living content. All the exhibitions have had their own focus, and the last one in Schwerin with the production 'The Dream' was a milestone for me. The continuation follows. Two exhibitions are planned, the tenth is in the initial phase. A production with a speech choir.» - Johann Kralewski
Johann Kralewski: The Game 2023
Johann Kralewski: 'The Game' / Installation 2023 / 120cm high x 130cm wide x 220cm long / mixed media honeycomb cardboard, cardboard, newsprint, Japanese paper Tengucho, viscose thread, wood glue
«It's a game with more complicated rules than any sporting event. A game of the mind in the time of wars 2022-2024. A game doesn't always have to be fun. A game of football, for example, has the components of cooperation, aggression, friendship, tactics and much more to achieve victory. I see members of society as participants in a game. Sometimes the rules are disregarded, sometimes they are changed or even reformulated according to the balance of power. There is only one fixed rule: no one can escape the game. The participants are often unaware of the game they are playing and the purpose for which they are being used. An ordinary parlour game. Chance or luck also plays a role. A game of fortune or misfortune. Despite all the obstacles such as wars, climate disasters and others, we can usually develop our lives, fulfil our wishes and then move on with sincerity and serenity.» - Johann Kralewski
Johann Kralewski: Ahnengalerie (Ancestral gallery), 2024
Johann Kralewski: 'Ahnengalerie' Fragment / Schwerin Cathedral / 2024
«Even in the early stages of my artistic career, I found rapid drawing particularly appealing. In many works, some of which were created in almost a matter of seconds with only minimal control of hand movement, the emotional expression of the facial drawings was brought out intensely. A carefully planned and executed drawing session would not have been able to capture the emotion in this way. The fact that faster is better is by no means universal, and certainly not in art. Another feature is the symbolic application of the drawings of large format works from the 'Ahnengalerie' directly onto the wall in the style of an installation. There is something local, stable, anchored, indigenous about it. The citizens of a city, of a country, cannot change or leave the centre of their lives at will. So the Ancestral Gallery cannot be moved to another place.» - Johann Kralewski
Johann Kralewski: 3D Portraits 2023
Johann Kralewski: '3D Portraits' / Zurich Paulus Academy 2023 / Installation with 5 pictures in size 70x55cm / Mixed media in several layers on paper and fleece; first layer acrylic on paper, second layer heavy fleece with charcoal drawing, three layers semi-transparent fleece with charcoal drawing
«The third dimension of the Portrait 3D series emerged from the development of the Close-Up series, with the difference that the three-dimensional structure of the drawing surfaces in the Close-Up series served only to alienate, whereas in the Portrait 3D series it was intended to achieve an approach from a distance, from beyond, i.e. it was given a reverse function. The first two layers were made in a similar way to the 'close-up', the other three or four layers were made by drawing shadows on the light fleece. It was important to me what role the people depicted had taken in their lives and what impact they had had on society.» - Johann Kralewski
See more of this artist here: Presentation 2017
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