Jan Pamula for all. Somewhere between geometric form and computer logic.

In contemporary graphic design, Jan Pamuła remains one of the most influential and ingenious artists whose creative practice has resonated both in Poland and on the international art scene. His practice, which had been evolving since the 1970s, is a fascinating fusion of traditional graphics and modern technologies, making him one of the pioneers of digital art. From the beginning of his career, Pamuła placed an emphasis on originality. Though greatly rooted in modern reality, his works respect the legacy of graphic art and present a unique style utilising geometry, logic, and colour.

His work, both on an artistic and philosophical level, transcends the framework in some sense typical of graphic art, opening up space for new forms of expression. He explored and compiled form, art theory, colour, the optics of the human eye, the viewer’s perception, philosophical currents, and metaphysics into a single work of art. For this reason, Jan Pamuła deserves to hold a special place among the Polish contemporary artists who significantly contributed to the rise of modern, homegrown visual art.

How does talent develop?

Jan Pamuła was born in 1944 near Oświęcim. His childhood and youth coincided with the turbulent post-World War II period of rebuilding Poland, which undoubtedly influenced his interest in art as a way of expressing emotions and reflecting on reality. As a young boy, he already showed interest in graphics and drawing, which determined his life path choices. After secondary school, Pamuła enrolled in the Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow, where he studied painting, graphics and drawing under the tutelage of esteemed professors. 

At that time, the academy in Cracow was a place where tradition mixed with modernity, while a broad spectrum of artistic techniques allowed students to explore various creative forms and techniques. Pamuła became particularly interested in graphics, which he valued not just as a medium for expression but also as a means of communication with an audience at a more emotional level. As a student, he started experimenting with geometric shapes and examining relations between colour and form. Though still technically imperfect, his works from that period already demonstrated his interest in combining logic and mathematics with artistic abstraction. These early explorations shaped his later style, which gained appreciation in Poland and abroad.

After graduation, the artist collaborated with various art promotion institutions, festivals, and art reviews. This experience enabled him to not only hone his craft but also to experiment with different mediums, including the aforementioned graphics. And it was graphics that became one of his mediums of choice. Pamuła quickly gained a reputation as a master in this field. His works, distinguished by their innovative approach to composition and colour, received positive reviews from art critics, and the name Pamuła became more and more recognisable.

In the early 2000s, Pamuła was already an established artist who received accolades due to his extraordinary ability to unite the tradition of graphic art with modern tools. Minimalism and strong colour contrast intended to catch the eye and attention of the viewer were the characteristics of his graphics. The artist skillfully used simple forms, such as a circle, square and triangle, which gave his works an abstract yet clear and legible quality.

While he was also involved in other areas of art, it was Pamuła’s graphics that drew particular attention from the art world. His works impressed the audiences with their simplicity and carefully thought-through aesthetic while having a broad philosophical dimension.

How does an innovator work?

The style of Jan Pamuła can be categorised as geometric abstraction in which a simple form meets deep, philosophical thought. While his works are characterised by an amazing precision and understanding of the composition rules. Consequently, they create a balanced, aesthetically pleasing, and intellectually engaging whole. One of the most important aspects of his work is a combination of art and science, especially mathematics, optics, and colour theory. Under the influence of digital techniques of image making, Pamuła started using computers and plotters to develop his skills and infuse his work with brand-new artistic quality.

The exhibition “Kształt rzeczywistości” [“Shape of Reality”] demonstrates how Pamuła used digital tools to develop his abstract concepts, operating a variety of geometric compositions and intense colours. His “Seria komputerowa” [“Computer Series”], created in the 1980s, originated from years-long research on colour and composition. One of the motifs typical of his practice is also the so-called systems – abstract geometric arrangements explored by Pamuła in different series, including “Układ z trójkątem” [“Arrangement with a triangle”] and “Zbiory barwne” [“Chromatic Sets”]. These series show the artist’s fascination with the relation between primary colours and their optic effect on a viewer.

Pamula always strived to make his art accessible to everyone, regardless of artistic level, trained eye, knowledge or experience. Therefore, his works are much based on simple forms that are easy to grasp and simultaneously imply a deeper metaphysical meaning. Often, in his work, the artist refers to subjects such as perception of reality, optical phenomena, and social and environmental challenges of the present. Although his practice is minimalist in form, it retains an array of meanings, encouraging reflection on the world around us. 

Apart from his artistic activity, Pamuła also played a significant role in shaping upcoming generations of artists. For many years, he shared his knowledge and experience with young artists as a teacher at the Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow, encouraging them to forge their own creative path. His classes went beyond theory – they focused mainly on practice. A strong emphasis was placed on experimenting and discovering new possibilities offered by technology. He was a mentor of numerous graphic artists who viewed his practice as proof that technologies could coexist with a classic understanding of graphic art.

Thanks to his commitment, Pamuła not only developed his talent and skills, becoming an authority among the graphic design community, but also actively contributed to the popularisation of the art of computer graphics.

Artist in dialogue with technology

Though firmly rooted in the Polish tradition, the artistic practice of Jan Pamuła gained international acclaim. His works were presented in many prestigious galleries in Europe, Asia, and North America, and received multiple awards in international competitions and shows.

His works have been featured regularly in art publications and catalogues, confirming his status as one of the leading artists specialising in computer graphics. By some, he was considered to be an abstractionist, working in the geometric-romantic trend, drawing on the rich store of possibilities opened up by computers and new technologies. With the help of graphics, acquired through computer processing, he created patterns based on plane divisions, and unique modules, which he later transferred to canvas, using only four colours (“Computer Series”). Pamuła used four colours, adhering strictly to the proportions of the old colours to the new, which he set himself. 

Shape of Reality

The exhibition “Shape of Reality” in the Warsaw Wallspace Gallery (20th September – 12th October 2024) offers a retrospective outlook on the artistic practice of Jan Pamuła, showcasing his development from early works to more mature pieces. The exhibition centres around the main directions of his practice, featuring works from the series such as “Układ z trójkątem” [“Arrangement with a Triangle”], “Seria komputerowa I and II” [“Computer Series I and II”], and “Obiekty geometryczne“ [“Geometrical Objects”]. One’s attention is particularly caught by the piece “Arrangement with a Triangle” (1973), which depicts a horizontal composition with a geometrical triangle filled with black and green elements. In this series, Pamuła examined the contrast between the presence and absence of light, which also constituted a metaphysical rumination on light and darkness. The exhibition includes some later works of the artist, too, such as “Obiekt geometryczny, Helios” [“Geometrical Object, Helios”] (2022) – one of his final pieces that focuses on the exploration of light, celebrating luminous spectral colours. Imbued with energy, this piece refers to Greek mythology, symbolising eternal brightness and transition to the heavenly realm.

The presentation at the Wallspace Gallery focuses on his fascination with computer graphics, the experimentation with which he started in the 1970s. Pamuła’s works from this period demonstrate an exceptional command of geometric form and intense colours that combine mathematical precision with artistic sensibility. At the exhibition, one can view the images created both on a computer and those made more traditionally – yet still alluding to his interest in science.

Jan Pamuła was an artist who made his everlasting mark on the history of contemporary graphic art. His unique approach to art, especially computer graphics, made him a pioneer in this field. Owing to his exploration of both traditional and modern technologies, Pamuła developed a style that is simultaneously simple and deep, aesthetic and cerebral.

In his practice, he wished to arrive at the universal visual language. His works based on geometric shapes and a limited colour palette (circles, squares, rectangles, and three primary colours plus black) formulate a sort of alphabet that can be grasped by any audience. Composed in this manner, the pieces represent the artist’s attempts to engage in a dialogue with a viewer and spur reflection on the nature of reality and perception.

The art practice of Jan Pamuła is not just an expression of a personal creative vision but also a response to the contemporary world’s challenges. Throughout his life, the artist strived to make his works accessible to the general public. As a result, his art remains universal and timeless, while his legacy continues to inspire the upcoming generations of artists.

The exhibition “The Shape of Reality” at the Wallspace Gallery is an excellent opportunity to rediscover the work of a graphic artist who always focused on innovation and originality. Pamuła’s works, although at first sight simple, abstract and geometrised, encourage reflection on the contemporary world, while their tune and thoughtful composition are a response to what surrounds us – a world often lacking such harmony.

---

JAN PAMUŁA – SHAPE OF REALITY

20.09. – 12.10.2024

Wallspace Gallery in Warsaw.

More