Magda Szwabe

Magda Szwabe (born 1983 in Wrocław) lives and works in Gdańsk. The artist paints mainly with acrylics and oils on canvas, in her own mixed technique.

She begins each painting with a characteristic intuitive brushstroke, a spatula, which then determines the composition of the work. Circles, triangles, squares, numerous lines are elements that always appear on the canvas. The symbolism of colours is of great importance to her. Travels around southern Europe, North Africa and life in Spain had a great influence, for example, on the colours of the works, making them more intense and lively. The paintings are inspired by the culture of the Middle East, especially in terms of architecture, hence the visible small ornaments. You can also notice elements related to products of applied art and the artist's passion for design. When painting, she often chooses a leading colour, complementing it with a contrasting tone. Often, the starting point for creating a painting are photographs that she takes herself. She mainly photographs landscapes, architecture, people and nature. More precisely, structures of plants, trees, rocks, etc., sometimes in microscopic form, after which she transforms them into geometric form. She likes to experiment with shapes, various painting techniques, structures, objects. She often complements her paintings with original Swarovski crystals, amber, glass, resin, metal, natural minerals, etc.

Due to her dual nature and maintaining balance, the artist, in addition to abstractionism, also feels good in realistic painting. Abstract art places her in the metaphysical and real world at the same time. She has always been interested in everything tangible as well as ephemeral, ethereal, enigmatic. Admiration for the world is her main inspiration. Just as in abstraction she can afford total lightness, freedom of shapes, realism requires more patience, concentration, regularity from her.

"I paint so that the painting is not only a decorative element, but also penetrates the personal space of the recipient, creating a close relationship with them. I leave a part of myself, my energy in the paintings. I want the works to attract in a hypnotic way, arouse positive emotions, open the mind and heart of the recipient".

Creativity has been present in the artist's life from the very beginning, being self-taught, her passion has evolved over the years. During her studies, inspired by the paintings of Professor Józef Hałas from the Wrocław Academy of Fine Arts, she developed her skills under his supervision. The professor's geometrical and synthesizing language of painting influenced the artist's further works. Over time, under the influence of travels and a European scholarship and classes at an art school in Spain, minimalist landscape compositions began to give way to more extensive abstract forms. Currently, the artist has developed her own, unique style, which is a synthesis of her experiences, travels, interests, emotions. Her works decorate the space in private Polish and foreign collections, including: Spain, Italy, Morocco, Germany.