Andrew Bartosz

Andrew Bartosz’s work is striking and sensual. He paints the human body like no other Australian artist. His art holds as it’s central theme the celebration of the female form. In Andrew’s opinion “The painting of the human body is based on the drawing and the knowledge of the human anatomy. That’s it, nothing else matters more. Colour is only the result of sensitivity of the eye. Even in my landscapes line is dependent upon the human form and it’s sexuality.” His work is fluid and sensuous and at the same time has a definite energy.

Andrew is a highly trained artist who upholds a tradition of technical mastery. He attended The National College of Fine Arts, Poland and graduated in 1965. He completed his master’s degree in Fine Arts, Painting at Copernicus University in Torun, Poland. During his university years he managed the University Art Gallery and the Department of Culture. In the following years he twice received research scholarships to work in the Fine Arts Department at the prestigious Vienna University and it’s associated galleries.

In Poland taught painting at the Copernicus University. During this period he exhibited in a number of exhibitions leading up to his first solo exhibition in Torun, Poland.

In the years 1973-1976 Andrew held the position of General Designer for National Artistic Events in Poland. He also continued to practice his art and to teach painting, increasingly finding the world of art central to his existence.

Since his arrival in Australia in 1981 Andrew has consistently exhibited his work in solo and group exhibitions in private art galleries throughout the country. His work is a favourite among Australian and overseas collectors alike.

The European tradition of technical mastery with materials and technique is always apparent in Andrew’s painting and drawing. His skill in the use of line is central to any appreciation of these studies in female eroticism. The frequency and richness of colour in figure and background suggests to the viewer the late 19^th Century interiors of cities like Prague, Vienna or Budapest and a hint of the works of Gustave Klimt and Egon Schiele, yet these are contemporary paintings in every sense.

Andrew Bartosz is a painter who revels in his work and like a long line of previous artists trained in Europe, brings a new n to his adopted country. These are the paintings that celebrate both the wonder of sensuality and the love of technical achievement.