Fantastic Art. Surrealism and Magical Realism

SURREAL VISIONS OF CONTEMPORARY POLISH PAINTERS

This year's first "Fantastic Art. Surrealism and Magical Realism" auction is an important artistic event, opening the 2022 auction season at DESA Unicum. Like previous years it will abound in unique works by greatest old and contemporary artists. Among the latter, works by great surrealism masters enjoying unfailing interest from many collectors will not be missing.

75 unique works transporting us to dreams, magic and horror go under the hammer on 8 February in Warsaw at 2022's first "Fantastic Art. Surrealism and Magical Realism" auction. Like previous collector-popular biddings, DESA Unicum presents works by this iconic trend's greatest masters. With estimates reaching PLN 400 to 600k, an early Zdzislaw Beksinski work may become the priciest sold painting. The great artist's works broke records in 2021, led by the famous "Figure" sold for over PLN 1.9 million. Dark horses of the coming auction include works by Rafal Olbinski, Karol Bak, Jaroslaw Jasnikowski, Maksymilian Novak-Zemplinski, Tomasz Setowski and Wojciech Siudmak, popular and valued at home and abroad.

Zdzislaw Beksinski's presented painting, where three distorted, dreadful figures hug each other, dates from the mid-1960s. For over 50 years it belonged to a private Krakow collector and art lover. He bought it from acquaintances of the painter's son, Tomek Beksinski. He first saw the painting right after Tomek – the late famous music journalist and James Bond film translator – brought it to their Sanok apartment. The work heralds everything Zdzislaw Beksinski's greatest works became famous for, blending fantasy and horror worlds. One of surrealism's greatest artists already tried creating as if photographing dreams. About his work he said, "So it is seemingly real reality, yet containing huge amounts of fantastic details".

The February auction features three works by Rafal Olbinski, spinning fairytale, extremely colourful stories. His 1989 "Warszawa da sie lubic" painting is estimated at even PLN 180k. It shows Warsaw's Royal Castle "grown into" a heart-shaped tree crown. Rafal Olbinski's style is recognised by wide art lover circles worldwide. The artist ranks among the most important so-called Polish poster school representatives. He also illustrated famous magazines like "The New York Times" and "Newsweek". 

Magical realism masters Maksymilian Novak-Zemplinski, Tomasz Setowski, Jaroslaw Jasnikowski and Wojciech Siudmak also appear. Interesting works by Dariusz Kaleta, director of Kolobrzeg's Contemporary Art Museum, Mariusz Zdybal, Janusz Orzechowski and auction- and catalogue-opening Borys Michalik paintings also appear.

The auction is accompanied by an exhibition at DESA Unicum, 1A Piekna St, available until 8 February 11am-7pm (Mon-Fri) and 11am-4pm (Sat). Exhibition entry is free.