Vytautas ABAKO (1958), The old maiden in the larches; 1999

Oil, acrylic, canvas; 70 x 100 cm
Signed, dated, l. g.: ABAKO '99; signed, dated, described on reverse: WITOLD ABAKO '99/OLE, ACRYL 90 x 70 / OLD PANNA W MODRZEWIACH

Studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow. In 1984 he received his diploma in the studio of Prof. Leszek Wajda. In the 1980s and early 1990s, he worked as a designer and interior architect, in Poland and Germany. He was also involved in publishing graphics. He is the author of many posters, illustrations and book covers. Between 1993 and 2001 he was Chief Graphic Designer of the Polish Music Publishing House. With his strong artistic personality, he influenced its visual shape at that time. He lives and works in Cracow. He was sometimes counted among the "young wild" trend, which he did not fully agree with. His path of painterly exploration runs in many directions: from figuration, not necessarily to abstraction. His works are in private and institutional collections in Poland, Germany, the United States, the Netherlands, Denmark, Austria or Japan. In 2015 he was awarded, by the President of the City of Cracow, the HONORIS GRATIA badge.