Profile
Jan Astner
Born: 1963
Hometown: Warsaw
Based in: Izabeli Poland, Jerez Spain
Jan Astner studied architecture and fine arts in Poland and the USA.
He practices painting, drawing, computer graphics and photography. Recent projects come from the fascination of multi-sensual perception. Paintings are elements of performances based on the idea of synesthetic metaphors - abstractly combined sensual experiences create individual feelings for each participant.
He exhibited in Europe and the USA as well as he ran a summer authorial gallery in Smogen, Sweden and Izabelin, Poland. For 25 years he has been dealing with consultancy in the field of building and managing brand image. Lives and works in Izabelin, Poland and Jerez de la Frontera, Spain.
Jan Astner realizes his works in series that combine reflection on a man in relation to the world around him in the age of posthumanism and transhumanism. Using process painting and his own developed techniques in acrylic technology, he chooses the means of expression to present the issues bothering him.
- Voluptuous Towns - impressions referring to visited cities, presenting the city as a place of life, where the theme is not architecture and urban planning, but the emotions and experiences associated with the socio-cultural space noted by the author.
- Sybaritic Poses - analysis of the interaction between the internal and external world of man, both in the material, sensual and psychological sphere.
- Transhuman Portraits - reflection on the changes of the human body, its beautification and modification.
- Synesthetic Gardens - multi-sensual pretexts for personal perception. What tastes can be seen in the picture? What colors of the sounds can be heard? What is the relation between touch and the colour?
- Accumulations, or plastic reflections on social relations, mapping social relations in a painting is unique. In this context, the social theme of Accumulations is an indisputable advantage.
About Jan Astner
What inspires you?
Nature. What we can see in nature, both as the final effects and the process of development and change itself is purely surprising, amazing!
Describe your creative process.
By observing the world and my surroundings. I come across matters and topics that are important or intriguing to me. Reflecting on their essence, I am looking for a form to study and to present them. This is how my paintings are created. How a series of them is created.
What are 3 words that best describe your work?
Life is a journey.
Who are some artists that have influenced your work?
I am fascinated by film. I dream to be a director. The film combines fine arts, music and anecdotes. As works, movies are more open, more comprehensive, inclusive than paintings. But it is true that abstract art allows for a very broad interpretation, which is often narrowed down in film. I know I sound a little bit confusing, am I?
What is the most important tool when creating your work?
Heart and senses.
What is the best piece of advice you have been given?
Look ahead, don't look back.
Where do you go for inspiration?
Everyday life is an inspiration.