Allan Rzepka (1940-2022), In a confined space, 1996/99

Allan Rzepka (1940-2022) was a Polish painter, illustrator, graphic artist and theater stage designer. He studied painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow under Czeslaw Rzepinski and stage design under Andrzej Stopka. He received his diploma in 1963.

Since 1976 he was a lecturer at the Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow, and in 1992 he received the title of professor. He headed the Department of Drawing at the Faculty of Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art. He finished his teaching work in 2015.

He created easel painting, drawing, printmaking and stage design. He designed decorations for the Silesian Opera, the Polish Theater in Bielsko-Biała and Polish Television. His work is part of the trend of modern magical realism, inspired by the old masters. He painted self-portraits, portraits, still lifes, religious and theatrical and surrealist paintings. He often combined them into series, including "Mannequins," "Artifacts," and "Masquerades." Characteristic of his works are large formats, subdued colors with contrasting accents and theatrical narrative.

He has participated in more than a hundred exhibitions around the world, including the Biennale of the Young in Paris (1965, 1967), where he received awards. He has received many awards, including the Prize of the Minister of Culture and Art (1998) and the Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta (2013). His works are in the collections of the National Museum in Cracow, Collegium Maius, the State Art Collections in Wawel Castle and in private collections around the world.