Tomasz Alen Kopera

Tomasz "Alen" Kopera (born February 5, 1976, in Kożuchów) is a Polish painter and a representative of magical realism.

He graduated from the Wrocław University of Technology with a degree in civil engineering. In 2005, he moved to Northern Ireland, where he lived and worked for over a decade. He currently resides in Poland.

Since 2010, he has been a member of the Libellule group, founded by Lukas Kandl.

His artistic talent manifested itself early in his childhood. Kopera's works reveal a fascination with human nature, the surrounding world, and everything that is dark and mysterious. They represent both a high level of sensitivity and a desire to influence the viewer’s subconscious, evoking the need to pause and reflect.

Tomasz Alen Kopera primarily paints with oil paints on canvas.

The artist on his work: "In my paintings, I aim to influence the subconscious. I want to capture the viewer's attention for a longer moment, awakening in them the need for reflection and contemplation.

Ideas for new works usually come at the most unexpected moments – they simply appear in my mind. Some of them come from my wife – we enjoy sitting together, and our hours-long conversations sometimes turn into new, surprising visions. The most important and, at the same time, the most challenging part of creating is visualizing the idea, seeing the theme through the eyes of imagination. Often, while working on one painting, the idea for another emerges.

I am fascinated by fire. For me, it is a symbol of creation and a purifying force that erases our sins. It is where the old gives way to the new, where destruction is closely connected to resurrection – as a symbol of transformation. I would like to express all of these aspects in my works.

When I paint, I do not like time constraints, I definitely dislike rushing. I usually start early in the morning, when I am rested, and continue working throughout the day. I like to have a clear mind while creating; this is incredibly important to me.

The most crucial part of the creative process is its beginning. At that moment, I prefer working in complete peace – no phones, no conversations, just silence and calm. The initial phase requires the most focus and concentration. I do not make sketches or do so very rarely, and only in a rough form; I simply start painting on the canvas right away. The initial idea gradually transforms into a painting, sometimes evolving into a completely new vision. That is why the early stages of creation are the most turbulent – new ideas and significant changes often arise. I start with one vision, but the final result can be dramatically different.

One thing inseparable from my art is music. It plays a key role, in sync with the mood that depends on the particular stage of my work. I listen to everything, from classical piano and orchestral music to more modern, often heavy and dark music, including gothic and heavy metal.

Sometimes the message of my painting is very clear, and I could give it a title, but I don't do that. I prefer to leave it to the viewer – so they can interpret the message themselves, think about it, and assign their own title and story to my work. People often ask me to comment on my work, but I always say that if I could describe my paintings, I would be writing instead of painting. I cannot interpret my paintings through words; I do not know how to do it. What matters most is the message, and it reaches the viewer not through words, but through the painting itself. That’s why most of my works are untitled – I leave that to the audience."

Exhibitions: 05.2003 – Agora Cultural Center, Wrocław
04.2005 – Epicentrum Gallery, Jastrzębie-Zdrój
09.2005 – Royal Ulster Academy of Arts Annual Exhibition, Belfast
11.2008 – Dreamscape Amsterdam 2008, Netherlands
05.2009 – International Art Exhibition, Graham Fine Art, London
06.2009 – World Art Expo, Orange County, California
11.2009 – "Genesis" – Chalk Farm Gallery, Santa Fe, USA
03.2010 – Dreamscape Amsterdam 2010, Netherlands
07.2010 – EXCLAMATIONS! – Chapelle des Jésuites, France (Libellule Group)
09.2010 – EXCLAMATIONS! VIECHTACH – First Fantastic Art Biennial, Viechtach, Germany (Libellule Group)
11.2010 – "$1,000,000.00", Comparaisons 2010 – Grand Palais, Paris (Libellule Group)
02.2011 – "Equanimity" – Chalk Farm Gallery, Santa Fe, USA
02.2011 – EXCLAMATIONS! – Museumsgalerie Palais Palffy, Vienna (Libellule Group)
06.2011 – Graham Fine Art, London
11.2011 – PHOENIX AND DRAGONS, Comparaisons 2011 – Grand Palais, Paris (Libellule Group)
03.2012 – "$1,000,000.00" – Chamalières, France (Libellule Group)
03.2012 – DREAMSCAPES MIXED-UP – Enschede, Netherlands
05.2012 – Graham Fine Art, London
07.2012 – PHOENIX AND DRAGONS – Chaumont en Champagne, France (Libellule Group)
09.2012 – PHOENIX AND DRAGONS, Second Fantastic Art Biennial – Alten Rathaus, Viechtach, Germany (Libellule Group)
11.2012 – "ZODIAC" Comparaisons 2012 – Grand Palais, Paris (Libellule Group)
01.2013 – "$1,000,000.00" – Phantasten Museums, Palais Palffy, Vienna, Austria (Libellule Group)
04.2013 – "$1,000,000.00" – Riegersburg’s Baroque Castle, Austria (Libellule Group)
06.2013 – "DREAMSCAPES V" – Alten Rathaus, Viechtach, Germany
06.2013 – Tomasz joined Artéclat – where dreams become art – fine art online gallery
09.2013 – "MAGICAL DREAMS II" – Bator Art Gallery, Szczyrk
09.2013 – "PHOENIX AND DRAGONS" – Hohenstaufensaal, Annweiler, Germany (Libellule Group)
12.2013 – "TRIBUTE TO OLD MASTERS" Comparaisons 2013 – Grand Palais, Paris (Libellule Group)
03.2014 – "Antiques Art & Interiors Fair" – RDS, Dublin
08.2014 – ZODIAC CHAUMONT EN CHAMPAGNE – Chapelle des Jésuites, France (Libellule Group)
09.2014 – ZODIAC VIECHTACH – 3rd Fantastic Art Biennial – Alten Rathaus, Viechtach, Germany (Libellule Group)
10.2014 – "Dreamscapes" – Alden Biesen, Belgium
11.2014 – "Art Source 2014" Art exhibition in The Royal Dublin Society – Dublin
11.2015 – Charity auction "Wielkie Serce" Society – Poland
02.2016 – 5th beinArt CoproGallery – Santa Monica, California, USA
02.2016 – "Zodiac" & "One Million Dollar Banknotes" – Museum im Schafstall, Neuenstadt am Kocher, Germany (Libellule Group)
03.2016 – "Ponad horyzontem zdarzeń. Wizjonerzy malarstwa polskiego" – Quantum Gallery, Warsaw
05.2016 – "MAGICAL DREAMS III" – Poland, Germany
07.2016 – "Im’ago Primordialis" – Krab Jab Studio, Seattle, USA
08.2016 – "Polish Contemporary Art: Surrealism & Magic Realism" – DESA Unicum Auction House, Warsaw
09.2016 – "Tribute to Old Masters" – Viechtach, Germany (Libellule Group)
02.2017 – "Metamorfoza" – Gdańsk
02.2017 – "Shadow" – Beinart Gallery, Brunswick, Australia
02.2017 – "Ponad horyzontem zdarzeń. Wizjonerzy malarstwa polskiego" – Quantum Gallery, Warsaw
09.2017 – "Metamorfoza" – Wrocław
09.2017 – "Magical Dreams IV" – Bator Art Gallery, Szczyrk
11.2017 – "Into the Woods II" – Haven Gallery, New York, USA
11.2017 – "Dreamscapes" Contemporary Imaginary Realism, Edition Six – Traun, Austria
02.2018 – "Heavenly Hell or Hellish Paradise" – Grand Palais, Art Capital, Paris (Libellule Group)
03.2018 – "Magical Dreams IV" – Alten Rathaus, Viechtach, Germany
03.2018 – "One Million Dollars Banknotes" – Círculo de Arte de Toledo, Spain (Libellule Group)
05.2018 – "In Search of Beauty" – Jacek Malczewski Museum, Radom
05.2018 – "Magical Dreams IV" – Galerie Südliches Friesland, Zetel, Germany
06.2018 – "Back to Nature" – Targira-art Expo, Świebodzice
07.2018 – "Zodiac" – Palais des Congrès, Vittel, France (Libellule Group)
08.2018 – "Magical Dreams IV" – Miejska Gallery, Wrocław
09.2018 – "Magical Dreams IV" – Deutsches Hopfenmuseum, Wolnzach, Germany
10.2018 – "Tribute to Old Masters" – Radio and TV House, Bratislava, Slovakia (Libellule Group)
10.2018 – "Paradisiac Hell or Hellish Paradise" – Château Fort, France (Libellule Group)
03.2019 – "Exclamation" & "One Million Dollar Banknotes" – Galerie Carqueville, Gera, Germany (Libellule Group)
04.2019 – "Paradisiac Hell or Hellish Paradise" – Circulo del Arte, Toledo, Spain (Libellule Group)
09.2019 – "Tribute to Old Masters" – Miejska Gallery, Wrocław (Libellule Group)
09.2019 – "Magical Dreams V" – Bator Art Gallery, Szczyrk
02.2020 – "Tribute to LaFontaine" – Grand Palais, Art Capital, Paris (Libellule Group)