KOWALSKA Bożena - Roman Opałka, Cracow 1976

Roman Opałka - Bożena Kowalska, Wydawnictwo Literackie, Krakow 1976, first edition, f. 17 x 24,5cm, p. 82

hardcover with preserved paper wrapper, slightly faded edges of paper wrapper, otherwise very good condition

OPAŁKA Roman [1931-2011] - Polish painter and graphic artist, created in the trend of conceptualism. He graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw in 1956. His most recognizable work is the series OPALKA 1965/1, called "Program" by artists and critics. The artist used white paint to write rows of numbers on canvas; initially he did this on a black canvas, then changed it to gray, and, from 1972, gradually lightened the background used. He additionally pronounced each number by recording it on a tape recorder, and added his current photo to the finished painting. The series is meant to represent the passage of human time. In 2010, three works from the series were bought by an anonymous buyer for £713,250. At the time of the sale, this was the highest amount paid for a work by a living Polish artist (source: https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Opałka)