Born in Poland in 1952, Jacek Yerka studied fine art and graphics prior to becoming a full-time artist in 1980. While at university, Yerka resisted the constant pressures of his instructors to adopt the less detailed, less realistic techniques that characterize so much of contemporary art. Instead, he stubbornly continued to work in the classic, meticulous Flemish style he still favors to this day. In the end, it was his teachers who eventually relented, finally recognizing the talent of their determined student.
The pastoral atmosphere of the Polish countryside provides a solid foundation for much of Yerka’s art. However, it is his own uniquely evocative dreams that delineate the complex, often arcane imagery of his work. One need only glance at the luminous surfaces of Yerka’s canvases to perceive his adoration and resonance with the master painters of the 15th and 16th centuries, key factors in his surrealist development. Hieronymus Bosch, Pieter Bruegel, Hugo van der Goes and Jan van Eyck were powerful, early influences.
Yerka uses precise painting techniques and his many influences in his work, but he mainly relies on his unlimited imagination to create surrealistic compositions and landscapes that have a unique connection with the natural world. While pastoral, his work often portrays the sometimes-uneasy alliance between man and nature.
Check out the gallery after the jump, or visit his website to see more of the work of this visionary artist.
Funny. I thought one of his works reminded me of the Autostrada and when I clicked on it, the title was “Ventimiglia.” How wonderfully whimsical, phantasmagorical and charming!
Hi Patti … phantasmagorical is the perfect word to describe his trippy art. Wish I had thought of that one when I was writing a headline!
I spotted that too, Patti, but you spelled “Ventimiglia” correctly. The question is “Did Yerka deliberately leave out the last ‘i’?” Thank you again, Stephen, for bringing this to our attention.
You’re welcome! These art post are fun, and I’m glad people seem to connect with the artists!
You know what these art works remind me of? The book “Godel, Escher, and Bach.” How about you? The rivers that flow into the tops of buildings, the inside out buildings that are the substrates of forests…see what I mean?
Hi Victoria … I know exactly what you mean, and I thought the same. I detected a very strong Escher connection when I first viewed his work.
I must be tired and punchy because I am finding these very amusing – down right chuckle out loud funny. Good ones to send me to bed with. 😉
hey pat … tired and punchy, eh? hehe. well, i’m glad you got a chuckle from them.
What a creative mind.
Cool … glad you liked his art. Thanks for dropping by!
Reblogged this on Leya and commented:
Impressive and …I want them all!
Hi Leya … glad you liked this interesting art. You can buy his work from his website, but I’m thinking it might cost a pretty penny!
Thank you for introducing his arts!
You’re welcome, Amy!
Very fascinating…
Hi Sue, and thanks for visiting my blog. Glad you liked this art.
🙂
Wow, I love these…..thanks for the introduction:-)
HI Seonaid … you’re welcome! Thanks for dropping by my blog, btw. I like yours a lot. Some of your pics are really spectacular. Cheers!
What a great imagination! And what a talented artist. As I went through the gallery I kept thinking that photo was my favorite, but then came the next one….
Awesome, Angeline … I love it when the next one is even better than the one that went before it!
Amazing talent!! Thanks yet again Stephen.
You’re welcome yet again, Madhu.
Wow very surreal and trippy. You have some great artists on here.
Hi Etta … thanks for that. As you can see, I’m into the surrealists, so I’m always searching for new and interesting artists, or stuff I’ve never seen before. I really enjoy introducing artists to people who might not have otherwise seen their work.
Hey, I just wanted to say I really like your blog. You’re a really inspired photographer. I’ve been to HK many time, and you really catch the spirit of that amazing city! Your black and white work is especially effective.
Hi Stephen, thank you very much for your kind words and encouragement. I really appreciate that. HK is an easy city to take great photos in, so that helps a ton!
I am loving these! A lot of surrealism has a dour tone to it, but there is an upbeat quality to this work. Great post Stephen!
thanks, chris … agreed, mate! there’s a lot going on in each of these pieces, but it all has a very positive spirit, like maybe man and nature really can work together.
Beautifully detailed art, love the very first painting of the village on a rustic wave
that’s my favorite too. I wonder what rents would go for in a place like that?
The views would be to die for and maybe in a strong wind you would!!!!