'I explore landscapes by stripping away some of the beauty, whilst also keeping a part of it there. My interest in landscapes stems from the idea of how humans leave a trace when they walk through a forest. Branches are broken, footprints are left and marks are made.' - Rafal Zawistowski
Born in Warsaw, Poland, and raised in Canada, Rafal Zawistowski is an artist whose work seamlessly connects different continents and artistic traditions. He earned a BA in Fine Art from Ontario College of Art in Toronto in 2006, and during his studies, he spent a transformative year in Florence, Italy. There, he delved into Renaissance art, an influence that continues to shape his distinctive style.
Upon graduating in 2011, Zawistowski made a notable impact with his exhibition at New Contemporaries, where several pieces were acquired by Charles Saatchi. The following year, Saatchi bought the entire collection from Zawistowski’s debut solo exhibition before it officially opened. Zawistowski further cemented his reputation in 2024 as a wild card entry in the Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year competition. His art is regularly featured in both group and solo exhibitions, and his international collector base grows steadily.
Rafal Zawistowski considers landscape painting as a vital facet of art history, drawing profound inspiration from his childhood memories and the natural beauty of forests he frequently visits. He transforms these personal experiences into ephemeral landscapes that, while appearing real, transcend literal representation.
Zawistowski combines traditional Renaissance techniques, such as making his own gesso and paint, with contemporary practices. His approach involves layering paint thickly and then scraping it away to reveal underlying textures, while also incorporating forestry-grade spray paint for a distinctive, almost toxic glow. This method results in paintings that captivate viewers with their vibrant colours and rich materiality.