Pictureless* - what other title could be more appropriate for the exhibition of Bogumila
Twardowska-Rogacewicz. That is how she calls her works. Modest, often profoundly critical of
herself, the author perceives and senses the world in the manner that those who keep both feet on
the ground are not able to. My pictures do not depict anything, therefore do not look for familiar
forms and shapes there suggests the very title of the exhibition. That is, however, only half-truth …
The pictures of Bogumila Twardowska-Rogacewicz tell much more than the artist herself would
like to express. They concern metaphysical aspect of the world and tell about energy of the
Universe, where the outer world is filtered through immensely rich inner world of the artist and then
is confronted with it once more through the work of art. Also the viewers are subjected to that
confrontation. I have always enjoyed an ideal harmony of composition typical for those pictures. It
is a kind of paradox that perfectly harmonious world emerges from a swirl of colourful spots and
free-flowing strokes of a brush. The Bundles of Energy can seethe with mighty energetic power or
just whisper subtly. No matter what state they describe, eventually the colours and apparently
chaotic shapes come to perfect unity. Such seems to be the world that surrounds us, doesn’t it?
Sometimes it is painful, sometimes happy or just usual. Yet, when we approach its very essence we
discover pervasive harmony.
The artist avoids real forms and shapes which could evoke associations with a particular object or
phenomenon. Well, after all these are pictureless works. The only elements that have access to these
paintings are fragments of the landscape. The Karkonosze Mountains where the painter lives and
works have always attracted her. However, the landscapes of Bogumila are not strictly speaking
typical landscape paintings. They are the very essence of the landscape. They lack details, focus on
dominant lines and colourful spots that may resemble real forms, yet they are treated rather
universally. Still, they are filtered by the artist’s profound perception. The Bundles of Energy are
totally different. Big bundles, tiny bundles and eventually Energy. That cycle shows the evolution
of the artist from packages of energy to an attempt at describing the very energy, cosmic energy
which the artist can perceive and process. She tends to use more quiet colouristic palette, more
tranquil form and subtle transitions between the brush strokes. Compositions which used to be full
of colour and contrast became more restrained, unified and quiet. They make a masterpiece
revealing sensitivity and artistry of the painter.
The cycle Places came into being during the plain-air in Michalowice and is composed of amazing
small forms on paper. I admire the way Places are depicted. The light is the only factor that allows
the associations with reality. A stream of light appears on the floor of the interior, on the window
view, on the corridor, door frame and on the fragment of some landscape. Our rational mind tends
to look for familiar associations. Let us not follow it. Let us try to notice perfection of the
composition, subtle combinations of colours, great sensitivity of the artist and her unusual skill to
transform her insights into the work of art.
Bogumila Twardowska-Rogacewicz is a real treasure, her works create a wonderful, profound and
intuitive tale about the energy of the Universe. She can be regarded as a member of the group of
most remarkable abstract artists. When I look at The Bundles of Energy, I inevitably recall Vassily
Kandinsky’s tract Concerning the Spiritual in Art where he claims that the artist’s task is to discover
the vibration of the human soul and express it through the work of art. It is artist’s right to share his
or her individual experience presented in an individual form. There might be, however, the case that
rational male sense gives way to female intuition.
Dr Agata Rome-Dzida
20th March, 2019
* in Polish, this word has also the second meaning: offenceless(translator’s note)
