Leon Kozok - Painting

"I'm not trendy..." As an artist, I'm not a novice. I have several dozen years of artistic activity behind me, which in recent years was confined to the walls of my apartment, and was partly carried out professionally in the artist's studio at 'Nitroerg'. I am mainly passionate about landscape, which is a motif in easel painting, sometimes when processed it becomes a graphic. Equally fascinating as topics are genre scenes observed on the street, and nudes provide a great opportunity to demonstrate the ability to present the human figure.

The statement "I'm not trendy..." has absolutely no connection with my date of birth, 1948. I can say that I am already a well-formed creator, prone to technical experiments. I also do not shy away from oddities and commercialization of what I paint, draw or sculpt. .

In 1967, I graduated from the High School of Art and Techniques in Częstochowa under the supervision of professors St. Łuszczarz and T. Miśkiewicz. This school prepared me in painting, graphics, ceramics and sculpture. Then I applied for admission to the Academy of Fine Arts in Katowice, then the Faculty of Graphics of the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow. Unfortunately, there was no room for me. So I started extramural studies, which I later interrupted due to the financial situation at home

For several years I was associated with the Cultural Center in Lubliniec, where, among other things, I worked with children and youth in the Art Club. I have lived in Krupski Młyn since 1974 and worked at the NITRON S.A. plant there. (currently NITROERG S.A.) as an artist in the Marketing Department.

In my artistic work, I am interested in easel painting, graphics, drawing and pastel. The themes of my works are mainly landscape, still life, flowers and architecture. An important role in my work is played by the nude, in which I try to show the natural beauty of the female body. My fascination with Krupski Młyn, where I live, with its monuments, greenery, and universal historic nature (old trees), which I transform into the language of art, is also very important for my work. At the same time, I do not shy away from painting and graphic experiments.

Of my many exhibitions, the two I called 'I'm not trendy' and 'Climates' probably best describe my work. In addition, I have exhibited my works in places such as:

- Pinsk nad Odrą: participation in the open-air and post-open-air exhibition; distinction, 1980. - Krupski Młyn: painting, graphics, drawing, 1989, 2003, 2006, 2007.

- Lubliniec: drawings, pastels, linocut, 2003.

- Nuremberg: exhibition of pastels entitled 'Memories', 2001.

- Warsaw: Galeria Zachęta, post-competition exhibition entitled 'Workers', Award of the Minister of Chemical Industry, 1988.

- Chorzów: exhibition of paintings and graphics at the Regional European Club 'Quo Vadis', thanks from the Mayor of Chorzów, 2006.

Moreover, my works are in private collections:

in the country:

Bytom, Chorzów, Gliwice, Krupski Młyn, Katowice, Lubliniec, Miotek k. Kalet, Tworóg, Tarnowskie Góry, Kraków, Warsaw, Zakopane

and abroad:

- Germany: Nuremberg, Pfhorzheim, Koblenz, Furth, Meinheim

- Switzerland: Larsche (Freiburg near Bern), Fechlingen

- Belgium: Liegen

- Netherlands: Wageningen

- Ukraine: Kobeliaki