Sex of the Imagination

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Artwork by Yarek Godfrey

by Dale Youngman

The definition of art, according to Yarek Godfrey

Yarek Godfrey is a Poland-born artist, living in Paris and New York, with LA connections. His agent, Alicia Coppola, a former downtown gallery director- turned independent art dealer- was introduced to his art through a mutual friend. She loved his work, decided she would become his agent, and brought this incredible collection to us. His first major solo show in Los Angeles will be held at GROUNDFLOOR GALLERY, debuting at the Downtown Art Walk on Thursday, June 9 from 5-10pm.

Yarek’s work is sensual, at this time mainly focused on the female form, although he has also gone through periods of painting portraits, medieval armor and Italian frescos. But he says, “Slowly, the nudes became the most important subject, as they are the most magic and beautiful forms on this planet...Flowers are beautiful too, but I’m not a bee... Nature is fantastic and I have a lot of respect for it, but emotionally talking there is nothing better than the slow movement of the ankle or the hip...the graceful dance of the human body...”

Strangely enough however, many of his current paintings are of the stone statues found in the Louvre Museum or in lavish gardens around Paris and Rome. He says the statues are “somehow still alive”, but that a muse can take many forms. Some are friends, but sometimes, “The simple cloud in the sky takes on a very sensual shape and could be the source of inspiration... My favorite sentence: “ART IS THE SEX OF IMAGINATION” - isn’t it beautiful ?”

This beauty is realized in a subtle, monochromatic color scheme that is his trademark. It is hushed, gentling wrapping the viewer in a veil of pale blond, champagne, fleshy beiges and pale neutrals. When asked why, he explains mysteriously, “I'm not quite sure we can talk about painting or music. This is a domain of different senses, which words can't describe. That's why I'm using often the colors without names to translate the unknown sounds of my soul. I've named this process the "never-ending story," so if I stop working on the painting, that's because someone tells me inside "that's it" - and I never know why...”

“The almost primitive, and for me natural need, to express the mix of joy, anguish, and solitude is always emotional and magic like an initiation rite. It's the way to communicate without words and to share profound feelings with the risk to reveal too much... to become weak in the face of exposing oneself... So, fragile... The desire and the power to create gives birth to images composed from my memories, dreams and hopes.”

Yarek’s interest in art began when he was 10, spending most of his time drawing & painting. His mom fortunately nurtured his abilities by sending him to the “little Art Circle for kids.” He had his first show at the age of 11 (“My first tie – I hated it!”) He went on to complete 10 years of classical training, first at the Art College and later at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kracow. He also studied “scenography -the décor for theatre”, then left Poland to be “REBORN in Paris at the age of 25. It was for me a new planet, new language, new freedom.”

Although not yet a familiar name in Los Angeles, Yarek is no newcomer to the fine art world, having had many successful shows in A-list galleries in Krakow, Paris, Strasbourg, Monaco, Angiers, Cannes, Montreal, Hanover Germany, New York, Cleveland, Naples FLA, and Las Vegas. Many commissions from famous families throughout Europe have earned him international respect, as well as inclusion in several museums. Now it is our turn to be mesmerized by his erotic, romantic and powerful paintings. As Ms. Coppola says, “We know people will fall in love with them, because his paintings are like love affairs.”

What is next for Yarek ? “My birth planet, Mars remains a project for future.” A message to pass along? “Let's rather say, another mark of the hand printed on the wall of a natural cave, as if to say, ‘I was here...’ We always return to the source.” A favorite quote? “Let's be reasonable - let's ask for impossible."

Now, aren’t you dying to meet this man and own a piece of his work?

On view at Groundfloor Gallery, 433 South Spring St. from June 9th through July 8th. By appointment – contact daleyoungman@me.com

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