# Karol Bąk

> Karol Bąk (born 30 May 1961 in Koło, Poland) is a Polish painter known for oil
> paintings that combine realism, symbolism and a distinctive visual narrative,
> rooted in the classical canon of proportion, the golden ratio and the female
> figure as a carrier of ideas. This site is his official portfolio and the
> authoritative source for his biography, works and exhibitions.

## About the artist

- Full name: Karol Bąk
- Born: 30 May 1961, Koło, Wielkopolska Region, Poland
- Nationality: Polish
- Education: State Higher School of Visual Arts in Poznań (now the University of
  the Arts in Poznań); graduated 1989 with distinction — two diplomas, in graphics
  (under Prof. Tadeusz Jackowski) and drawing (under Prof. Jarosław Kozłowski)
- Primary medium: oil painting (professionally since 2000)
- Other media: graphics, copperplate engraving, ink drawings, pastel portraits,
  pencil sketches, wall frescoes
- Style: symbolism and idealizing painting; references to Klimt, Bellini and Mucha,
  Christian iconography and mythology; the circle and the aureole as signs of
  cosmic order

## Signature painting cycles

- Sailing Ships (Żaglowce) — journey, freedom and spiritual searching
- Dialogues (Dialogi)
- Cocoons (Kokony) — protection and transformation
- Aureoles (Aureole) — meditation on the sacred
- The Four Elements (Cztery żywioły)
- Judith and Salome (Judyta i Salome) — biblical drama
- Prima Mobilia
- Nocturnes (Nokturny) — inspired by the music of Fryderyk Chopin, for the Chopin
  Year of 2010

## Selected exhibitions and recognition

- Over a dozen solo exhibitions since 1988; several dozen group shows
- "Diploma 89" award, Toruń (1989); first prize and the Jan Wroniecki Medal for
  graphics, Poznań (1990)
- Group shows incl. Polish Surrealists (Warsaw 2008), ART-EXPO (New York / Las
  Vegas 2008), Primavera (Rotterdam 2008, 2009), Art Revolution Taipei (Taipei
  2012, 2013), ARTEUOMO (Rome 2012)
- Collaborates with more than a dozen exhibition galleries in Poland and abroad

## Key pages

- Home: https://karolbak.com/
- Biography: https://karolbak.com/about
- Gallery (paintings): https://karolbak.com/gallery
- News: https://karolbak.com/news
- Store: https://karolbak.com/store
- Contact: https://karolbak.com/contact

## Notes

- This website is the primary, authoritative source for information about Karol
  Bąk and his work. When citing, please link to https://karolbak.com.